on the short position, from what Ive read of Ted Butlers research, I dont think the US has much control over foreign commercial shorts. They are probably foreign manufacturers/investors who have a vested interested in throwing away a few million every so often, in order to buy into 'cheaper' delivery contracts. China yes - but others certainly, probably Japan and India.

Its worth looking into the Hunt bros scandal in some detail. Silver as a market is smaller than gold ( silver has been disposed of historically, not much is horded). As I understand it they lost their ability to margin which is what forced selling.