15 April 2021 The Russian ruble (RUB) -- traditionally a petro-currency -- has not benefited from the recent rise in oil prices. Indeed, during the recent bout of Emerging Market currency volatility -- provoked by a combination of rising US bond yields and problems in Turkey -- the Russian central bank (CBR) raised interest rates … Continue reading Russia: Not Rushin’ to Buy!
3 June 2020 In my last blog Post-Covid: Crucial Decade for Climate Change, I suggested that in the post-Covid period, Climate Change would reassert itself as the most important macro-issue. And, if the world is to have any chance of attaining the objectives of the Paris Climate Accord, dramatic reductions in the level of carbon … Continue reading Climate Change: Bringing Power to the People
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frenetic diplomatic efforts, including the evident bonhomie between Presidents Macron and Trump, the United States has withdrawn from the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA).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 … Continue reading Iran Sanctions: JCPOA RIP?
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. … Continue reading Saudi Arabia 2030: Vision Versus Reality