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10 Geopolitical Predictions for 2010 & Short Term Strategic Outlook

A great - and still growing - divergence appeared in 2009 between public statements by leaders and their public performance. The politicized, romanticized theater of increasingly populist “democratic” leaders and media seemed to be of a different planet from activities taking place in the real world. While a large part of the global population appears still transfixed by words, there is a growing perception that great fissures already rend the global strategic architecture. This is a trend which will compound during 2010. There is a widespread belief that the world has “ducked the strategic bullet” of global economic collapse, but this is merely ...

What are the Causes of Global warming

It’s a scientifically proven “Fact,” that over the past century, our planet has slowly been warming up. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the average temperature around the world has gradually risen by one degree fharenheit.While this minimal warming might not seem all that significant, the truth is, according to Climatic Specialists all around the globe, the over-all impact will most certainly prove to be devastating if this continual warming process is not somehow ebated. Scientists have been busily searching and studying in order to determine precisely what the primary, “key factors” are behind this progressive “heating up” process. Here’s ...

Chinese Shipping Indices go Ballistic as Wave of Exports Leave China

There are a lot of ships sailing around China these days. As I've discussed several times over the past weeks, Chinese shipping indices have gone ballistic. The China Containerized Freight Index measures shipping costs for exporting goods from ten major Chinese ports to 11 regions worldwide. And those costs have been rising lately. Up 17% since January 15. The trend shows no signs of reversing. Last week the index jumped 3.9%. Led by a 7.1% leap in shipping traffic from China to the U.S. West Coast, and an 8.6% jump in shipments to Korea. The jump in the index means more goods are being ...

What is Crude Oil?-A Detailed Explanation on this Essential Fossil Fuel

Crude oil, commonly known as petroleum, is a liquid found within the Earth comprised of hydrocarbons, organic compounds and small amounts of metal. While hydrocarbons are usually the primary component of crude oil, their composition can vary from 50%-97% depending on the type of crude oil and how it is extracted. Organic compounds like nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur typically make-up between 6%-10% of crude oil while metals such as copper, nickel, vanadium and iron account for less than 1% of the total composition. Crude Oil Formation Crude oil is created through the heating and compression of organic materials over a long period ...

Critical Indicator Signals America's Economic Fortunes May be Changing

Something unusual happened the last few weeks. Bank lending in the U.S. didn't fall significantly. Since the onset of the financial crisis, outstanding loans at U.S. commercial banks have been in a freefall. Over $600 billion in loans have been repaid or defaulted on. Representing an 8% contraction in credit. This is unprecedented in the financial data. The Federal Reserve began tracking loans in 1973. Since that time, there has never been a significant drop in outstanding credit. We are in uncharted waters. Which raises serious questions about the health of the U.S. economy. How much of America's economic achievement over the last 40 years ...

What Affects Oil Prices?

Understanding what causes the price of oil to fluctuate can oftentimes be a confusing subject for those outside of the commodities market. There are a number of factors that affect the price of oil in both the U.S. and abroad, understanding the intricacies of oil pricing can help investors better time their investments in this high-demand commodity. OPEC and Global Oil Supply and Demand Oil prices are driven by global changes in supply and demand along with a number of other geopolitical factors. Worldwide oil production is controlled by OPEC – the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, which aims to keep ...

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10 Geopolitical Predictions for 2010 & Short Term Strategic Outlook

What are the Causes of Global warming

Chinese Shipping Indices go Ballistic as Wave of Exports Leave China

What is Crude Oil?-A Detailed Explanation on this Essential Fossil Fuel

Critical Indicator Signals America's Economic Fortunes May be Changing

What Affects Oil Prices?