Ilham Aliyev is the fourth and current President of Azerbaijan and has been in office since 2003. His recent appointment of his wife to the position of First Vice-President, indicates his family plans to hold onto power for the foreseeable future. The tightening political and economic grip of the President, is turning Azerbaijan into an authoritarian society. A country wide referendum was held in September of 2016. One the 29 changes proposed to the constitution and supposedly passed by the electorate, was […]
Global Investing Blog
United States World Position Will Be Undone With The End Of The Petrodollar
Many Americans are totally unaware how dependent their standard of living has become, to the global role of the United States dollar (USD). The petrodollar system, has supported the United States (U.S.) currency in the world economy, since the early 1970’s. The premiere reserve position the American dollar has held for over forty years, has become largely dependent on the international trade in crude oil. The petrodollar system of rules, has allowed the United States government and Americans to live far beyond […]
Ecuador: End To The Socialist Era Problematic, Even With The Departure Of President Correa
The first round of presidential elections in Ecuador, failed to deliver President Rafael Correa the result he desired. Held on February 19th the socialist candidate Lenin Moreno, failed to receive the 40% required, to prevent a second round in April. Correa has already threatened to dissolve both the executive and legislative branches of government, if Mr. Moreno is not elected president. President Correa may well decide to invoke an obscure procedural rule, that would in effect nullify the results of a national […]
Israel And The Palestinians: A Viable Political Solution Remains Elusive
The situation between Israel and the Palestinians has remained an intractable issue since the late 1940’s. There has been no viable political solution, because both sides have allowed a fallacy to continue for 70 years. This is the perspective that the way to peace, is through the establishment of another sovereign state in territory Israel now controls. A two nation solution would be possible, only if both sides are willing to negotiate based on common interests and the need to establish a […]
Elections In The Netherlands And The Continuing Rise Of Populism In Europe
The political landscape of Europe began to shift in 2016, and this year will likely bring even more changes. Last year, the unexpected result of the referendum in the United Kingdom, shook the establishment out of its complacency. The first salvo of the rising European populist movement in 2017, will be the national elections in the Netherlands. In voting for what is now considered the Brexit, the electorate was putting the political elites on notice. The increasing loss of national identity and […]
Oil Markets To Remain Unbalanced Due To Abundant Global Crude Supplies
The members of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) continue to insist that their efforts to reduce global supplies of crude are progressing as expected. This was being done in an attempt to provide support for a higher price structure. Analysts in the industry are reporting a near 90% compliance, to the recent output cut. Although their claims of dwindling global oil supplies remain a bit exaggerated. The cartel was assisted by the fact that discoveries of gas and oil fields were […]
The Bottom Line For NAFTA And Free Trade In North America
The North American Free Trade Agreement known as NAFTA, unites the three largest economies on the continent. The trade pact between Canada, Mexico and the United States went into effect as of 1994. In recent times, 14% of world trade takes place inside this trading zone. There has been a great deal of controversy recently, over the benefits and the negatives of this crucial treaty, especially in the United States. Economic analysis at this point, has indicated a small overall gain in […]
Future Of France And European Union To Be Determined In Upcoming Presidential Elections
It seems every year brings a new threat to the survival of the European Union and in particular, the Eurozone. Last year it was the decision of voters in the United Kingdom to leave the former in a referendum, that has become known as the Brexit. In 2017, it will be the presidential elections in France, that will determine if the European Union and the common currency zone will endure intact. Political pundits in France and elsewhere, will argue that recent polls […]
Chancellor Merkel Reigns Supreme In Germany And In Europe
Angela Merkel has been Chancellor of Germany since 2005. In September of 2017, she will run for her fourth term. Despite a number of unpopular political decisions in the past few years, she has made herself an indispensable leader for her party and Germany. Her steadfast perspectives on some of the most significant issues facing her country and Europe, have only added to her almost unassailable political position. Mrs. Merkel became the political head of the Christian Democratic Union (CSU) in 1998. […]
Pakistan: A Nation Unwilling To Fully Let Go Of A Troubled Past
Pakistan this week has for the first time successfully test fired its surface to surface missile, that will be capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads. The demonstration reminds neighboring countries and the world community at large, what a dangerous place South Asia remains. From the founding of the nation in the middle of the 20th century, an enormous amount of money has been spent on defense. Pakistan is the second most populated country in the Muslim world, after Indonesia. It has grown […]