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

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 Supermarket Helped America Win the Cold War (Update)" by Freakonomics Radio (2024). "The First Great American Industry," by Freakonomics Radio (2023). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company.