Squawk Pod

Chris Wright, U.S. Energy Secretary managing Strategic Petroleum Reserve releases amid Iran-driven oil shocks. Dan Murphy, CNBC Middle East correspondent reporting from Dubai on attacks and regional market fallout. Emil Michael, Defense Dept. CTO overseeing AI adoption and negotiating safeguards with vendors. Short takes on SPR swaps, tanker escorts through Hormuz, Iran’s strikes on shipping, and Pentagon disputes with an AI provider.

Andrew Yang, entrepreneur and author who warns about AI reshaping jobs for young workers. Robert Frank, CNBC wealth reporter who tracks record art and supercar auctions. They discuss Microsoft backing Anthropic in its clash with the Pentagon, rapid AI advances threatening entry-level white-collar roles, policy ideas like taxing AI agents, and why the wealthy are piling into collectibles amid market volatility.

Big oil firms edge toward a major Venezuela production deal. Lawmakers approve use of Gemini, ChatGPT and Copilot for official work. The Global Entry program is restarting after a recent pause. Japan’s PayPay signals an IPO price range as it heads toward a Nasdaq listing. News about leadership changes at a major theme park company also makes the roundup.

Steve Liesman, CNBC economics reporter, explains how volatile energy prices complicate Fed policy. Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator from Texas, discusses timelines and strategic aims in the Iran conflict. Eamon Javers, CNBC national security reporter, offers field reporting on U.S. strikes and military tempo. They debate markets, military progress, the Strait of Hormuz, and AI and cyber implications for warfare.

Jared Cohen, Goldman Sachs President of Global Affairs and Iran expert, and Amos Hochstein, seasoned energy policy advisor, unpack a historic oil shock. They discuss tanker stoppages in the Strait of Hormuz, regional output cuts and storage exhaustion. They cover market forecasts, China’s role, risks to shipping and the possible military and political off-ramps.

Mary Daly, President of the San Francisco Fed, on monetary policy, labor market softness, inflation risks and possible rate paths. Sean Maloney, former congressman now leading the Coalition for Prediction Markets, on growth of prediction platforms, insider trading concerns, and how regulation and market design might work. Short, timely conversations about jobs data and the future of prediction markets.

Greg Abel, Berkshire Hathaway’s new CEO who succeeded Warren Buffett, discusses the restart of share repurchases and the intrinsic-value rules guiding buybacks. He outlines his plan to reinvest his after-tax salary into Berkshire shares each year. The conversation also covers capital allocation priorities, possible large-scale deals, and the company’s stance on tech and crypto.

Dan Murphy, CNBC reporter in Dubai covering Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions and regional security. Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary and former fund manager coordinating economic and energy policy amid geopolitics. They discuss on-the-ground Iran developments, oil shipment stability and potential Navy escorts, insurance and trade measures, and timing of new tariff moves.

U.S. plans to insure Persian Gulf tankers to ease Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions. Tech companies are taking steps to protect employees and operations in the Middle East. Off-price retailer Ross Stores reports stronger shopper traffic and upbeat results. Political discussions surface about potential changes to the U.S. meatpacking industry.

Niki Christoff, tech CEO who advises on AI and defense partnerships. Dan Murphy, CNBC Middle East reporter covering strikes and energy market shocks. Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator defending Congress’s war powers and opposing recent strikes. They discuss regional military moves, rising oil and LNG risks, congressional authority over warfare, and AI’s growing role and contractual tensions with the Pentagon.