The current wave of populism sweeping the world isn’t necessarily ideological - as witness Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump. "He who can convince people to believe absurdities can convince them to commit atrocities." Voltaire. A new tide of … [Read more...] about What’s Driving The New Populism*
Economy
Trump, Xi Jinping, and the US Economy
President Donald Trump will be meeting his Chinese counterpart on Thursday negotiate economic and security matters. But while Mr. Trump is confident he will “make America great again,” the country can barely afford both butter and guns. The national … [Read more...] about Trump, Xi Jinping, and the US Economy
Washington’s China Problem*
The U.S.’ confrontation with an increasingly powerful and incipiently aggressive China is getting much more complicated. There is no question of its high priority among the U.S.’ foreign policy issues. But with a lame duck Obama Administration which … [Read more...] about Washington’s China Problem*
China’s New Grand Strategy for the Middle East*
Chinese President Xi Jinping with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Tehran, January 23, 2016 - After decades of distance, China is moving closer to the region’s sectarian feuds — and its vital oil reserves At the start of 2016, prospects … [Read more...] about China’s New Grand Strategy for the Middle East*
The Petrokingdom In Peril*
"The decision makers of the Saudi government should not have any doubt that this blood will trouble them. It will haunt them."- Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - The eastern province, bordering on the Gulf, not only has a concentration of oil, it … [Read more...] about The Petrokingdom In Peril*
Malaysia: Over the Edge?
Southeast Asia’s multi-ethnic player, Malaysia, with its carefully balanced Malay majority but dynamic Chinese and Indian minorities, is in crisis. A lack of resolution could not only jeopardize the country’s 30 million people but destabilize the … [Read more...] about Malaysia: Over the Edge?
Another Gathering Storm*
Graf credit: World Economic Forum “Outlook on the Global Agenda - Just when you think things couldn't get worse, they do. As chaos, civil war and anarchy spread across the Middle East; as Europe is subject to the most massive Muslim invasion since … [Read more...] about Another Gathering Storm*
The Mystery of Obama’s Iran*
Even the most dogged defenders of Pres. Barack Obama’s “deal” with Iran will admit that the U.S. had to make concessions to achieve it. The extent of those concessions and their implications are certainly more than debatable. True enough, in any … [Read more...] about The Mystery of Obama’s Iran*
Weekly Review, June 1-5, 2015
Pic Credit: Saul Loeb, the Atlantic --- Fueling the ISIS Fire - Rachel Ehrenfeld - Under growing criticism of handling the war against ISIS, the Obama administration decided to send more weapons to the Iraqi army and has already sent the first … [Read more...] about Weekly Review, June 1-5, 2015
US Risky Economic Recovery*
Left: U.S. gross domestic product, 1st quarter revised to -0.7% from +0.2%. Source: Commerce Department The US remains Israel's most important market, but its economic recovery is stalling. In recent years the Israeli government and the Israeli … [Read more...] about US Risky Economic Recovery*