The Most Powerful People You’ve Never Heard Of (Update) Image

The Most Powerful People You’ve Never Heard Of (Update)

4 March - 1 hour 6 mins
Podcast Series Freakonomics Radio

Just beneath the surface of the global economy, there is a hidden layer of dealmakers for whom war, chaos, and sanctions can be a great business opportunity. In this updated episode from 2025, journalists Javier Blas and Jack Farchy help us shine a light on the shadowy realm of commodity traders.

 

SOURCES:

Javier Blas, opinion columnist at Bloomberg News.

Jack Farchy, energy and commodities senior reporter at Bloomberg News.

RESOURCES:

The World For Sale: Money, Power, and the Traders Who Barter the Earth's Resources, by Javier Blas and Jack Farchy (2021)

The King of Oil: The Secret Lives of Marc Rich, by Daniel Ammann (2010).

EXTRAS:

"How the...

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