Author: Barry D. Wood
Barry D. Wood is a writer, teacher and journalist in Washington, DC. His focus is the global economy and financial markets. He has reported from 60 countries and specializes in US China relations, Eastern Europe and Southern Africa. His 2017 book is Exploring New Europe, A Bicycle Journey.
Trump’s Assault on Global Economic Practices
The Daily Friend February 1, 2026 Continue reading Trump’s Assault on Global Economic Practices
Welcome to Zimbabwe
HARARE, ZIMBABWE: Arriving at Harare’s renovated, ultra-modern airport, I paid for my tourist visa and stepped outside. There was a line of taxis and I approached one of several men standing and talking next to their vehicles. “How much to central Harare?,” I asked. We agreed on $25 (the US dollar is the currency used in Zim). I gave him a 20 and a five and got into … Continue reading Welcome to Zimbabwe
Returning to Harare
Powell, by Fighting Back, Makes it More Likely the Fed Will Retain its Independence
The Daily Friend January 17, 2026 Jerome Powell’s eloquent defence of Federal Reserve independence, delivered in a two-minute YouTube video on January 11th, was an inspiring act of courage. The 72-year-old outgoing Fed chairman spoke after receiving a grand jury subpoena that threatened a criminal indictment over his Congressional testimony about renovations to Federal Reserve buildings. Powell called alleged cost-overruns a pretext. The real issue, … Continue reading Powell, by Fighting Back, Makes it More Likely the Fed Will Retain its Independence
Barry D. Wood 