Economics

ISIS has exploded on the scene of Islamic extremist terrorism in an unprecedented way. Seemingly emerging from obscurity, ISIS has jumped to the front of the line of threats in Iraq, Syria and other parts of the Middle East. This...

The most important event next week is the FOMC meeting followed by a press conference by Yellen.  In order to maximize its room to maneuver, we expect the FOMC statement will drop the patience that has characterized its forward guidance...

Women had stood shoulder to shoulder with men in the Russian Revolution of 1917, according to its leader Vladimir Lenin, and were said to be at the vanguard of the drive to build an equal society in the world’s first...

The greatest threat to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his ambitious agenda is political instability in Tokyo. The spectre of such instability is re-emerging after a remarkable period of quiet as cabinet ministers in Abe’s government are being tarred...

Under the Dome, a documentary released on 28 February 2015, has the potential to become a turning point in China’s long march against the ever-worsening environmental crisis. When Rachel Carson wrote Silent Spring in 1962, it brought environmental concerns home...

The US dollar's bull advance, spurred by the divergence in the monetary policy, is continuing in earnest today after briefly consolidating yesterday.  The greenback traded at new multi-year highs against the euro, yen and Australian dollar.  But, it is stronger against...

Millions of people around the globe have become increasingly concerned about environmental changes brought about by global warming. Ironically, the brutal winter of 2014-15 is an example of this "global warming" in action. Brought about largely by carbon emissions, many...

American companies gain more confidence in the economy by adding in 295,000 jobs in February. This marks the continued addition of jobs added above the 200,000 mark for 12 months. Liberals carrying water for the Obama administration will tout this...

American wages are rising at a sharply slower pace despite a rise in job gains, indicating deflationary pressures could force the Federal Reserve to delay an interest rate hike. In last week’s employment report for February, the Bureau of Labor...

The euro finished last week three standard deviations below its 20-day moving average.  Even though the returns in the foreign exchange market are not normally distributed, this is a rare event, and reflected the stretched technical condition of the dollar...

After tense ties during the Rajapaksa administration, newly elected Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to visit India on his first overseas trip signifies a renewal in the India–Sri Lanka relationship. After tense ties during the Rajapaksa administration, newly elected...

The key fundamental fact that is shaping the investment climate was underscored last week.  The ECB announced that it will begin its accelerated asset purchases on March 9.  The following day the US reported a sufficiently robust employment report to...

China wants to keep its good relationship with Myanmar. But, because the major powers are also taking interest, China must work to make a strong relationship even stronger. China wants to keep its good relationship with Myanmar. But, because the...

In recent years, as a greater focus has been placed on the environment, many have become aware of something called "The Great Pacific Garbage Patch." It is not really that great, nor a patch, but it is made of garbage...

There are two main forces at work as the week winds down. The first is the ECB's confirmation of its asset purchases. This has renewed the rally in European peripheral bond markets and re-accelerated the euro's slide. The second is...