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Monthly reports on finance, business, trade,
economics, & political analysis
NEWNATIONS BULLETIN 02 FEBRUARY 2009
Monthly reports on finance, business, trade,
economics, & political analysis
NEWNATIONS BULLETIN 02 FEBRUARY 2009
HAIL TO THE CHIEF
To Obama, Manifest Destiny has an entirely new meaning from the Bushies understanding of the phrase. We look at some the world problems he has inherited.
Until Palestine-Israel is resolved, middle-east peace won't happen
Gaza cannot be ignored and we deplore both the cynical power-play by Hamas, careless of the lives of the civilians amongst whom they had embedded their rocket batteries, and also the massively disproportionate response by Israel. It gives the term 'overkill' a new and disgusting meaning.
'Grow-Up' Call
An under-reported article 'Apres le Deluge' by Henry Kissinger, is right on the button in our view and we draw attention to the key points. He quite correctly observes that whilst economics and finance are truly global, politics has lagged far behind - so the institutions to deal with crises of the kind we are experiencing, still don't exist. This octogenarian thinker is telling the rest of us to grow up - the problems are global and the remedies must be equally so. Solutions don't lie in ideologies or through petty nationalism.
"Put away Childish things..."
This quotation from Obama's inauguration speech certainly chimes in with Henry K. We say what we think he means.
Cold Warriors not wanted
In context, Putin speaking at Davos has called for international co-operation - now! We are all, he points out, in the same boat. RUSSIA is extending its hand, the fist unclenched. Now we wait for Obama's response.
Bizarre Banking: Tales from our world
We ask who gains from short-selling when its main practitioners are hedge funds who siphon off value and being offshore, seldom pay taxes? In January just one day after the UK Financial Regulator allowed the practice to return to UK markets, Lloyds Bank lost 47% in value. The taxpayer had just become the largest shareholder in the bank, so is by far the biggest loser. Congratulations to the authorities, custodians of our money. Financial engineering is back in play!
An NYU professor with some impressive credentials has forecast the US banking system is probably already bankrupt. We give details.
Gordon Brown in the UK as recently as 18th January has called on banks to 'come clean' about their bad debts and toxic assets, which can only mean that they haven't yet done so. We consider the problems for bank executives in actually doing what he asks.
We speak of the 'Law of Unintended Consequences' apparent in current news stories and give some choice examples.
A Quiet Gas Coup for RUSSIA
..and we don't refer to pipelines through Ukraine, although we also report on that crisis in both RUSSIA and UKRAINE. On 24th December an event we have been forecasting for years, took place in Moscow. The natural gas equivalent to OPEC was founded, the Forum of Gas Exporting Countries, probably to be acronymed FOGEC. Since in the newer, greener world, Gas is due to become 'the new petroleum,' quite a coup for V. Putin who diligently worked for this, as RUSSIA is the giant amongst world gas producers.
Murder most foul
In the streets of Moscow now declared by some to be a shooting gallery, a famous Civil rights lawyer was assassinated along with a young woman journalist. She is the fourth reporter for her newspaper Novaya Gazeta to be murdered. Characteristically no one has been arrested but we look at other characteristics when such people are killed - not a direct threat to the state but a nuisance, with their emphasis on free speech and justice and an open society, which are not available in RUSSIA.
'The War on Terror' and 'Smart Power'
The first 'Bushie' phrase was addressed by the British Foreign Secretary, and the second was newly minted and coined by the new US Secretary of State. We examine both.
Iran in a new Perspective
We consider the background to current US Iranian relations. We consider that they both historically have behaved badly. The big question now is can they mend fences?
Pakistan and Afghanistan
We are greatly encouraged by the appointment of Richard Holbrooke, whom we consider a brilliant choice as Envoy to both PAKISTAN and AFGHANISTAN. It shows that WDC understands that the problems of both Islamic militants, and the 'rogue' ISI agency, are interlocked problems for both countries.
Does the US Speak with Forked Tongue?
Who would have thought that the USA's credibility on fighting against mid-air terrorism could be in question?
In our 'Hall of Shame' we explain precisely how this has come about.
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