Partisan U.S. shutdown fight masks rising national debt risks

The U.S. federal government is locked in a shutdown standoff that glosses over the larger issue of escalating national debt. The impasse, rooted in partisan demands over spending, exacerbates the strain on entitlement programs and debt servicing, which already approaches $38 trillion. Analysts warn that ignoring structural deficits may erode investor confidence, especially if safe-asset yields rise or fiscal discipline loosens further. (Reuters)