Iran Sanctions: JCPOA RIP?

18 May 2018 Despite frenetic diplomatic efforts, including the evident bonhomie between Presidents Macron and Trump, the United States has withdrawn from the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA).  The world awaits details of America's new approach to confronting Iran's nuclear ambitions and its aggressive regional political behaviour.   The Trump Administration has announced already its intention to [...]

Saudi Arabia 2030: Vision Versus Reality

4 May 2108 In April 2016, Saudi Crown Prince (Deputy at the time) Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) announced his Saudi Arabia 2030 economic strategy.  The ambitious plan has two major objectives.  First of all, the collapse in oil prices after 2014 requires a major overhaul of Saudi fiscal policy to reduce the huge budget deficit.  [...]

US-China Trade: Three Sides to Every Story

17 April 2018 As with any disputed relationship, there are three sides to every story: my version, their version, and the truth.  So it is with the deepening Sino-American bilateral trade conflict.  In order to reach a workable resolution to the current dispute (which I fully expect), policymakers on both sides need to consider the [...]

Q2 Global Strategy: Iran, Korea, China & Russia Hold the Key

4 April 2018 Enjoy the podcast in which I review how well our 2018 strategic themes are playing out, and take a look athe the rest of the year. Inflation, populism, and protectionism were the key Q1 market drivers, even as the US tax reform boosted American corporate earnings significantly. Personnel changes at the White [...]