Sunday morning reading turned up two separate pieces from Adam Posen President of the Peterson Institute for International Economics and Tyler Brule head of Monocle reflecting while one of in his usual haunts St Moritz. Two different backgrounds, US and European with diverse interesting perspectives that challenge our status quo. The standard US view of Globalisation lies in the strength of Rules Based order founded on democracy is beginning to show cracks and as Tyler points out large countries feel the rules do not apply. In fact it is a reality and the Southern and Eastern blocs operate under different … Continue reading The standard and a challenger view of Globalisation

A benign document which is unlikely to have impact other than provide Xi with talking points when he meets Putin. It pointedly does not mention actions for protagonists rather lays principles. Document and full text (4 pages) below. Home https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/202302/t20230224_11030713.html The Ministry Policies and Activities Press and Media Service Countries and Regions About China Resources Home > Top Stories China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis 2023-02-24 09:00 1. Respecting the sovereignty of all countries. Universally recognized international law, including the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, must be strictly observed. The sovereignty, independence and … Continue reading China position paper – peace in Ukraine

Summers Sees Signals of a Sharp Drop-Off in Economic Activity Former Treasury chief says data on current conditions strong Leading indicators suggest risk of ‘Wile E. Coyote’ moment The most worrying is forward order books, and the high payroll head-count. Continue reading Former Treasury chief highlights four risks to US economic confidence

Bloomberg reports on state of US housing value. This will result in distress sales and new demand for alternative funding for Banks. The US housing market shrunk. By a lot. After peaking at $47.7 trillion in June, the total value of homes declined by $2.3 trillion, or 4.9%, in the second half of 2022. That’s the largest drop in percentage terms since the 2008 housing crisis Bloomberg Continue reading US Housing Market shrinks by 5%

Introduction This is a followup analysis on components that contribute the most significant changes over last few years. I started with China and the introduction of Wolf Warrior diplomacy, the Warrior evolution and the 2023 shift which shows China providing itself greater strategic flexibility through shifts in the power of words. Examples It is hard to know which came first so I have attempted to capture those activities that occurred and the changes in posture that accompany them. While Britain, Canada and Australia participated the points that follow are largely between China and US. The China comments and the shifts … Continue reading Changes in the World Order – China – analysis -2

The election is coming Feb 25th, 2023. Unfortunately this country that 10-20 years ago was a leader of world emerging economies is being crippled by somewhat incoherent political directions with demonstrations all kinds of creativity during the election lead up, and which directly affect millions of Nigerians in the country of almost 300 million. The most impactful pre election change was a decision to replace certain bank notes with a new currency. The Central Bank failed to adequately prepare. The result is a cash shortage with the most visible symptom of people sleeping overnight outside ABM’s in hope they can … Continue reading Nigeria in political chaos leading up to Feb election