Whether the fourth quarter 5% growth of the U.S. gross development product [GDP] is a fluke, another wave of the troubled sea of the longest recovery in recent American history, it is evidence of the miraculous strength of the U.S. economy. Some are … [Read more...] about Obama Losing War on America’s Economy
Oil
Weekly Briefing – December 21-27, 2014
Left: Israel - completely clear - on Christmas morning from the International Space Station. Astronaut Barry Wilmore woke up early on Christmas to reflect upon the beauty of the Earth and snap some images to share with the world. Photo credit: … [Read more...] about Weekly Briefing – December 21-27, 2014
The Oil Market Crossroad
Left: "The number one crude oil exporter, Saudi Arabia, has projected a $39 billion deficit in 2015. The impact of lower oil prices, along with the decision not to cut production, is putting pressure on the country’s finances." It is virtually … [Read more...] about The Oil Market Crossroad
Israel and Oil
With the price of a barrel of benchmark crude oil falling by a half in the past six months, the punditocracy is out in force prophesying about what it all means. Predictably, their conclusions range from “It’s wonderful for the world’s economy in … [Read more...] about Israel and Oil
The Growing Russian Menace*
It is not a return of the Cold War – but, in a sense, it may be even more dangerous. For more than four decades, the U.S. and its allies wrestled with a formidable enemy, one armed to the teeth, from nuclear weapons and delivery systems to the best … [Read more...] about The Growing Russian Menace*
ISIS: Portrait of a Jihadi Terrorist Organization*
An ISIS operative holds a shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile on the background of a black ISIS flag (Picture sent by ISIS via Twitter) Objectives 1. This study examines the nature of the Islamic State in Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS), an Islamic … [Read more...] about ISIS: Portrait of a Jihadi Terrorist Organization*
Weekly Briefing, November 10-15, 2014
Left: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan shakes hands with attendants of the First Latin American Muslim Religious Leaders Summit in Istanbul, where he announced that Muslims discovered the Americas before Columbus. Turkey Reaches Out to Latin … [Read more...] about Weekly Briefing, November 10-15, 2014
The ISIS Bootlegged Oil Revenue Myth
Southern Iraq is rich in oil and is moving it to market. The North, however, is hard hit and is living hand to mouth. Detailing ISIS financial sources earlier this week, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen estimated … [Read more...] about The ISIS Bootlegged Oil Revenue Myth
If we must speak Gaelic, Amaideas!*
All the media hype to the contrary notwithstanding, the referendum on independence for Scotland was very close to a farce. Ironic, too, that such political balderdash should have taken place in the historic home of a half dozen of the world’s most … [Read more...] about If we must speak Gaelic, Amaideas!*
Weekly Briefing – September 6-12, 2014
The Jihadist Plague on the March - Rachel Ehrenfeld - Al Qaeda’s attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, on September 11, 2001, signaled the beginning of the spreading of the global jihadist plague. The deliberate dismissal of growing … [Read more...] about Weekly Briefing – September 6-12, 2014