● The Economic Weapon: The Rise of Sanctions as a Tool of Modern War
Nicholas Mulder
Review via Foreign Affairs
For anyone who perceives economic sanctions as a mere form of expressing dissatisfaction with a country’s actions, this book presents a fascinating perspective. Nicholas Mulder traces the emergence of sanctions as a coercive tool since the early twentieth century, showcasing how isolating aggressors from global trade and finance was regarded as a viable alternative to war. This approach worked notably due to the significant impact it had on targeted societies.
While green energy holds promise for the future, it currently faces challenges as traditional fossil fuel stocks continue to thrive, maintaining their bullish trend from the previous year.
* Biden focuses on presenting a united front with Europe regarding tensions with Russia
* Russia states it won’t initiate a war over Ukraine
* US employers confront the highest labor costs in two decades
* Petro-states are set to increase their share of fossil fuel supplies to the West
* The German economy contracted by 0.7% in Q4, while France’s economy rebounded
* Apple reports a strong quarterly revenue increase as supply chain issues ease
* Jobless claims in the US declined last week, marking the first decrease in four weeks
* US pending home sales fell again in December due to dwindling inventory
* US durable goods orders decreased in December — the first drop in three months
* US economic growth accelerated in Q4, exceeding expectations:
Perspectives may vary regarding factor diversification within equity portfolios, but supporters may find validation in the performance of certain ETFs leading to yesterday’s close (Jan. 26).
* Justice Breyer has announced his retirement, allowing Biden the opportunity to influence the Supreme Court
* The Federal Reserve <>https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/26/fed-decision-january-2022-.html”>hinted at the potential for multiple interest rate hikes this year
* The US has officially rejected Russia’s request to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO
* Negotiations for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine will continue
* North Korea persisted with its ballistic missile tests, marking its sixth round of launches within the month
* The crucial role of Taiwan in computer chip production could spark conflict between the US and China
* UBS has finalized a deal to acquire robo-advisor Wealthfront for $1.4 billion
* New US home sales reached a nine-month high in December:
The current situation is alarming, as Russia has stationed over 100,000 troops at Ukraine’s border. In response, the US, Europe, and NATO have issued stern warnings to Moscow about the potential consequences if President Vladimir Putin opts for invasion. This standoff has emerged as a significant risk factor for the global economy and financial markets.
* The US is actively working to ensure Europe has energy supplies in case of a Russian gas interruption
* A new variant of omicron has been identified, spreading rapidly while details on its risks remain scarce
* The Federal Reserve is expected to indicate a March interest rate hike today
* Gold prices are increasing this year amid heightened geopolitical tensions and market volatility
* The IMF has announced that global recovery is ‘disrupted’ and has revised its growth forecast downward
* Declining stock prices might not deter the Fed from its aggressive policy direction this time
* US computer chip supplies are at critically low levels
* The US Consumer Confidence Index dropped in January following gains in the last quarter of 2021
* US home prices have softened on a year-over-year basis but continue to increase substantially:
Economic growth is anticipated to gain momentum, as this week’s initial estimate for fourth-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) suggests a robust uptick. The Bureau of Economic Analysis is expected to reveal a significant increase in output for Q4 during Thursday’s (Jan. 27) announcement. However, experts suggest that this recovery may be fleeting, given recent downgrades in the US outlook for early 2022.
* The US is placing 8,500 troops on alert for potential deployment in Eastern Europe
* Europe is considering the implications of a possible Russian gas supply halt
* China has violated Taiwan’s airspace with numerous warplanes
* Does China’s zero-Covid policy disadvantage it compared to the West?
* Is the Fed’s shift to tighter policy too late?
* The Chicago Fed National Activity Index reports that US growth slowed to an 11-month low in December
* US economic growth has slowed sharply in January based on PMI survey data:
A broad index of commodities has increased for the third consecutive week, even as global stock markets declined through Friday’s closing (Jan. 21), according to a collection of ETFs tracking the major asset classes.
