Global markets are once again under pressure as eurozone policymakers continue to duck launching a sufficient policy response to the region’s debt crisis, despite encouragement to do so from US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. Another game of chicken between the Greek government and eurozone leaders is currently underway, with a decision over whether to disperse… [Read more]
The title of a recent Business Monitor International report highlights the view that the eurozone is expected to muddle through. However, as Bruce Jeffery, Global Markets Strategist at Business Monitor, explains, a resolution to the ongoing sovereign debt debacle will require a crisis of epic proportions. While implausible at this juncture, alternative scenarios cannot be… [Read more]
It is now just over one month since Japan was struck by a devastating earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis. On Tuesday, the government raised the severity rating of the Fukushima reactor disaster to level seven, matching that of Chernobyl, Ukraine, in 1986. Perhaps the biggest question is, how will its worst since World War II… [Read more]
Never underestimate the importance of obscure places. Few people outside international politics circles, Caucasus-focused oil companies, academia, and the people of the region themselves had heard of South Ossetia or Abkhazia when Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 to aid their secession. Similarly, Kosovo was a highly obscure flashpoint until the late 1990s, when conflict there… [Read more]
On this week’s podcast, BMI’s Head of Country Risk & Financial Markets Justin Patrie talks to Jean-Paul Pigat about the ongoing political crisis in the Middle East. The discussion centres on the tactical and strategic implications for regional/global markets and macro. Justin and Jean-Paul also discuss potential political scenarios in Saudi Arabia and Iran as… [Read more]
Brent crude made an upward surge on February 24, hitting a new post-financial crisis high of US$119.79/bbl, as Colonel Muammar al-Qadhafi lost control of vast swathes of oil-producing Libya to pro-democracy protesters. However, my colleagues and I are not convinced that oil will continue to sky-rocket and hit new all-time highs. Instead we see consolidation… [Read more]
As Egypt’s opposition prepares to mobilise a million people on the streets to oust President Hosni Mubarak, Business Monitor International’s Head of Middle East and North Africa analysis, Jean-Paul Pigat, discusses the impact of the political crisis on tourism and investment on the BBC’s World Business Report. Skip to 3m 10 seconds to get straight… [Read more]
