The IMF and many economists (domestic and foreign) are now warning that a rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve, no matter when, will spark a major economic crisis in the emerging markets. They see this crisis being ripe for countries with high budget deficits, such as Turkey, as well as commodity-based economies. This includes […]

COMMENT:  Let’s see, penicillin was discovered in 1928, and first used en mass in 1943. Today, in 2015, antibiotic resistance is really becoming a problem (although it has been a minor problem for years, and will likely become a much larger problem in the future). Nonetheless, an article from the BBC today argues that we […]

According to various sources, ISIS is using the drug Captagon to create superhuman warriors. Perhaps this is true. However, it is by no means the first encounter with a warrior culture and it would be a mistake to assume it is simply drugs. The modern legend of warrior cults came from the island of Mindanao, […]

Asian equity markets closed a rather dull week in the positive but off their highs and with lots of dealer talk of possible PBOC easing action over the weekend. Traders are always looking for the next trade, so if it makes sense (or even if it does not) traders will jump on the bandwagon. As […]

Government is always about money — just show me the money. It is a shame that we have to deal with such corruption in academia. They can do as they like because they know students will get loans that they can never pay off so they teach nonsense and tell people they cannot find a […]

Mali, a former French colony, has been targeted as the war on France emerges. Mali came under French colonial rule in 1892. In 1893, the French appointed a civilian governor of the territory they called Soudan Français (French Sudan). Finally, by 1905 the French controlled the region. In 1958, the region was renamed Sudanese Republic, which then […]

COMMENT: Dear Martin –  I have been a follower for some time now and had great pleasure in hearing you speak at the Princeton WEC.  Thank you for so readily sharing your knowledge with those that are willing to listen and learn. I recall you mentioning that governments will often have a desired policy “floated” […]

QUESTION: Hi Martin, Thank you for you blog and your informed perspective on world markets. I’ve owned gold and silver bullion for about 10 years and since 2011 they have behaved much differently. Normally they would spike on geopolitical catastrophes but now they quickly hit a ceiling and collapse on such news. The prices rise in […]

  Schäuble has said that the refugee crisis will not destroy Europe and it will proceed. This illustrates our crisis with career politicians. He MUST take this position or he must admit the politicians are wrong. Now that can never happen.

QUESTION: Hi Marty, I saw another article about a trove of 4,000 Roman coins found in Switzerland. I read that the earliest date was 274 AD, during the reign of Aurelian.  I’ve noticed that many of these buried collections that are found seem to have been typically buried during this time period?  Would you know why?  […]