Wikipedia defines land grabbing as the contentious issue of large-scale land acquisitions: the buying or leasing of large pieces of land by domestic and transnational companies, governments, and individuals. Russia appears to be taking this concept a step further by using military force. Prior to Russia’s invasion, Ukraine has not been all that visible in … Continued
By now nearly everyone is aware of the sharp increase in the retail price of motor fuels, following significant increases in the price of oil. It shouldn’t be a surprise that this has caught the attention of politicians whose interest may be heightened by concerns relating to the mid-term elections scheduled for November 8. This … Continued
This is not a good time to be an environmentalist. The world is dealing with a serious shortage of electric energy, which, together with the war in Ukraine, is forcing an increase in the use of fossil fuels, particularly coal. Moreover, there does not appear to be any viable short-term solutions in sight, and potential … Continued
An empty suit is generally defined as an executive, manager or official regarded as ineffectual, incompetent, or lacking in leadership qualities such as creativity and empathy. Companies can also be empty suits if they lack a clearly defined purpose or a viable business model. Just as judging a potential employee’s potential is difficult, and prone … Continued
The world is in the middle of a major energy dilemma. Rising prices and reduced availability of natural gas have forced a shift to increased dependence on coal generated electricity. Even before the war in Ukraine, many countries were turning to coal, probably the dirtiest fossil fuel, to meet the increasing demand for electric power. … Continued
It seems that depends on who you ask. The Wall Street Journal, in a recent editorial, made a strong case for the importance of naval power in an increasingly dangerous world. On the other side, Congresswoman Rashida Talib, in a response to President Biden’s State of the Union address, said “we can’t seek peace by … Continued
Readers may recall the establishment of a demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea as part of the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement. You might also recall the October 1962 Cuban missile crisis, in which Russia sought to deploy ballistic missiles in Cuba. These two events suggest that a buffer zone can be helpful and, … Continued
Drill, baby, drill was a 2008 Republican campaign slogan, that may have made sense at the time, but it’s too late now. Sky rocketing energy prices, due to a combination of causes, including increases in demand, the war in Ukraine and political and environmental pressure on producers, are becoming a significant problem. Unfortunately, there are … Continued
No one really knows how the current conflict in Ukraine is going to end. However, in the interim, it might be helpful to consider some of the possibilities. The war is clearly going very badly for Ukraine’s civilians, as Russia appears to have embarked on a ruthless, scorched earth strategy. Based on limited reports from … Continued
Wikipedia defines hypochondria as a condition in which a person is excessively and unduly worried about having a serious illness. Hypochondriacs become unduly alarmed about any physical or psychological symptom they detect, no matter how minor the symptom may be, and are convinced that they have, or are about to be diagnosed with, a serious … Continued
The phrase, guns or butter, sometimes stated as guns and butter, refers to the political dynamics in a federal government’s allocation to defense versus social programs, when deciding on a budget. Both areas can be critically important to a nation’s economy and election outcomes. Historically, the electorate has tended to favor social programs. However, this … Continued
The horrors of war can never be understated. Loss of life, grave injury, and the trauma of mortal threats never leaves ones soul. We pray for the well-being of all Ukrainians. While sobering, as investment professionals we are called at all times to weigh the investment climate with an eye towards our fiduciary obligation to … Continued
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