The last piece of real estate on the Adriatic and the only northern part of the Mediterranean Sea, that did not belong to NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was Montenegro. On June 5th, the former Balkan republic of Yugoslavia, became the 29th member of the Western military alliance, over Russian objections and internal political controversy. Montenegro is still the most current, newest fully recognized country in the world. Independence came in June 2006, after a referendum the preceding month. The nation was […]
Global Investing Blog
The United States Federal Budget Not Based On Reality Under Both Presidents Obama And Trump
The United States has been accumulating debt at an enormous rate. The federal debt effectively doubled during the Obama Administration. The interest on the debt in the federal budget, is one of the fastest growing allocations, despite historically low interest rates. It already consumes $266 billion USD (United States Dollar) annually. The federal deficit for the fiscal year 2018 is $440 billion USD. This will cover the period October 01 2017, to September 30, 2018. Despite tremendous revenues and tax receipts of $3.654 […]
Hungary Under Orban Continues To Assert Sovereign Rights Within European Union
Viktor Orban the Prime Minister of Hungary, has been in power since 2010. He had previously held the post from 1998 to 2002. As leader of the far-right, anti-immigrant Fidesz party, he continues to offer a vision for his country, that is contrary to most European Union leaders. His long tenure is no accident, he enjoys widespread support throughout many areas of Hungary. Prime Minister Orban claims he is promoting a cultural counter revolution. For Hungary and Europe at large, he says […]
Protests In French Guiana Highlight Economic Inequality And Lack Of Growth
The independence movements that swept Africa, Asia and Latin America after World War II failed to inspire the people of French Guiana toward similar action. Even when neighboring Guyana separated from the United Kingdom in 1966 and Suriname became independent of the Netherlands in 1975, French Guiana elected to stay as part of France. In a 2010 referendum, the people of French Guiana once again voted against further autonomy. Yet, French Guiana has been dealing with tensions that have erupted between various […]
China’s New Economic Silk Road: The Belt And Road Initiative
For the 21st century President Xi Jinping of China has proposed a new economic Silk Road, that will reconnect his country with Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Dubbed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), it will have an economic impact on three billion people and will create the biggest global market. This new trade enterprise started in 2013, has become the cornerstone of China’s foreign economic policy. President Xi considers the endeavor as having unparalleled potential. As the most powerful Chinese […]
Portugal: Economic Recovery But Massive Debt And A Fragile Banking System Remain
In November of 2015, Antonio Costa the incoming Socialist Prime Minister of Portugal, was able put together a government, by aligning himself with the far left. There were many who felt this political coalition would be short-lived, since it seemed unworkable. His campaign pledge had been to reverse the punishing austerity measures but, to also meet quite challenging fiscal targets. Due to an improving economy and fiscal discipline, the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Costa, was able to reduce the […]
Venezuela On The Precipice Of Civil War As The Economy Collapses
The economic downward spiral for Venezuela is reaching a critical stage. Desperate citizens wait in line for hours, just for the opportunity to buy dwindling supplies of basic food and provisions. As the authoritarian regime clings to power, the country nears the precipice of open civil war. The socialist economy created by former President Hugo Chavez in the early 2000s and continued by his successor Nicolas Maduro, has totally broken down. The economy has already shrunk by a third, in the last […]
Algeria: Economic Crisis and Political Stagnation As An Era Draws To A Close
National Assembly elections will be held this week in Algeria. The electorate of 22 million, are somewhat apathetic to the prospect. This is because many Algerians assume the polls are fixed and the ruling party will continue to win by a large margin. As the economic crisis mounts, the frustration of the populace will intensify. Despite Algeria being the 6th largest gas exporter globally, the economy is slowing, given the over- reliance on the energy sector for growth. In 2016, revisions were made […]
Democracy And The Economy In Honduras Under Siege
Honduras is the second largest nation in Central America, after Nicaragua. With a relatively small population of 8.4 million, it is also the poorest country in the region, with the exception of its neighbor Nicaragua. Over the years, the political instability of the country and the entrenched political elite, have slowed the modernization of Honduras. The lack of real democracy and economic freedom over the years, has helped keep over 50% of the populace of Honduras in poverty. The economy is still based […]
Libya Tries Again To End The Civil War And Resume Steady Oil Production
There was a recent rebound in international oil prices. This was partially attributed to another shutdown at the largest oilfield in Libya. The Sharara was forced off line, by a group that blocked a pipeline linking it to an oil terminal. The field had only just returned to production, after a week-long stoppage ending in early April. It seemed to be another indication that the supply of oil from Libya, can no longer be relied on for a regular flow of crude. […]