Tag Archives: NATO

Jan 6 2025

Slovakia v Ukraine and the EU on Energy


Posted originally on Jan 3, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

Slovakia Parliament

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has nearly accepted that his country will be forced to pay an additional €500 million for energy due to Ukraine’s refusal to renew the Russian gas transit treaty. Zelensky believes Fico is Putin’s puppet, but the man is simply looking for a way to provide his people energy. Tensions are worsening between Zelensky and Fico, and now, Fico is threatening to cut aid to Ukraine.

“On behalf of Smer (the ruling party), I announce that we are ready to negotiate and agree in a coalition to cut off electricity supplies and significantly reduce support for Ukrainian citizens staying in the territory of the Slovak Republic,” Fico noted a day after the existing transit treaty expired.

Leaders from Ukraine, Slovakia, and the unelected leaders of the European Union will meet next week to determine the proper steps which likely means they will find a way to pressure Slovakia to continue aiding Ukraine without compromise.

Zelensky with EU leaders

Fico threatened to cut off energy supplies to Ukraine, but Zelensky basically stated he knew that he would be overpowered by the EU and prevented from doing so. “Any arbitrary decisions in Bratislava or instructions from Moscow to Fico regarding electricity will not lead to a halt in electricity imports to Ukraine,” Zelensky said, adding: “Slovakia is part of the unified European energy market, and Fico must abide by pan-European regulations.” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry chimed in to say that Slovakia would stand to lose hundreds of millions annually if they stopped selling to Ukraine. “Slovakia’s supply of critical amounts of electricity to Ukraine is not charity: Ukraine pays Slovakia a significant amount for it,” the ministry stated.

Moscow is not strengthened by this gas transit deal and granting transit would show good faith to Slovakia, who has provided Ukraine with millions in assistance since the war began. The underlying issue is that Fico wishes to remain neutral in this war. The European Union wants every member state to fear Russia and prepare for an escalation of warfare. The unelected officials at Brussels consistently undermine their own member states and it is only a matter of time before members wake up and realize that this alliance is working against them.

Jan 6 2025

Retail Closures in US Hit Pandemic Levels


Posted originally onJan 2, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

StoreClosuresRetail

Over 6,481 retailers have closed their doors since the beginning of the new year, according to data from Coresight Research in November, but that figure is expected to reach 7,327, marking a 57.8% increase in closures since 2023.

During the pandemic, closures exceeded openings by 180 stores in 2020, with the gap widening in 2021 to 6,000 retailers. There were 5,919 store openings in 2023, barely easing the burden. While online shopping has nulled the need for many brick and mortars, the types of retailers that experienced the steepest declines are telling.

Nothing at the dollar store costs a dollar. That changed years ago during the pandemic, thanks to tariffs and supply chain issues. Retailers had to mark up these cheap goods to make a meager profit. As a result, Family Dollar shut their door to 677 locations and 99 Cents Only stores shed 371. Big Lots, also known for selling discounted items, has been forced to close 580 locations, although the bankruptcy played a larger role.

Rite Aid also experienced bankruptcy in 2024, closing 408 locations. Pharmacies, in general, took a major hit this past year. Walgreens plans to close 1,200 locations over the next three years and lost 259 locations in 259. CVS closed 586 locations as well. The convenience of picking up items while at the pharmacy does not overshadow the need for a discount. People are not willing to pay more for essentials at the pharmacy when they can receive them for a discounted price elsewhere. The same goes for convenience stores like 7-Eleven which shed 492 locations in 2024 with plans to close another 400 worldwide.

Another major contributing factor is the workforce – people do not want to work low-wage jobs that do not support their cost of living. Enter any pharmacy or low-end store, and you will find a severe shortage of workers. One pharmacy by me that is part of a major chain is only open two days a week because they simply do not have the staff to keep it operating.

There is a reason that retail closures are at their highest level since the pandemic. Americans are spending more on less and their spending habits are shifting from convenience to practicality.

Dec 30 2024

Can Britain be Saved form Extinction?


Posted originally on Dec 30, 2024 by Martin Armstrong 

British Extinction 2025

QUESTION: Dear Martin,

Merry Christmas to you, your family, and the Armstrong Economic team. All of you have worked tirelessly to help humanity.

A question about the UK: you have discussed saving the USA and that your proposal would always work in the EU. What about the UK? You say Trump is married to old theories. What about Nigel Farage?

Thank you for everything you do.

Ash

ANSWER: Starmer’s approval rating has crashed. Now, 61% of Britain disapprove of his policies.  Even though Labour has an overwhelming majority and can pass anything they want, the reality is that our computer does not show Starmer will survive until the next election in 2029. This is a special report with the proposal to save Britain, and it can be done if Nigel Farage dares to lead the entire world to a new economic freedom. Once one nation rejects the old theories that not even central banks can use anymore, the rest will follow. I would say the two countries that could show the way forward for the future are Britain and Argentina.

I will let everyone know when this report is ready for prime time.

Dec 28 2024

Police Officer Dressed as the Grinch Makes Drug Bust in Peru


Published originally on Rumble By The Gateway Pundit on Dec 27, 2024 at 7:30 pm EST

Dec 28 2024

12.27.24: CHRISTMAS comms, Then coming years will be GREAT, PHARMA lies protected? Canada state? PRAY!


Posted originally on Rumble By And We Know on: Dec 27, 2024 at 11:40 pm EST

Dec 28 2024

Canada Moving for a NO CONFIDENCE Vote to Throw Out Trudeau


Posted originally on Dec 28, 2024 by Martin Armstrong 

No Confidence
IMMCD Y Tech 12 27 24

The C$ is poised to finally elect a Yearly Sell Signal (Bearish Reversal) warning that Canada may not bottom out until 2026. Even if Trudeau is removed from office, will that prevent the Decline & Fall of Canada into 2026? We will deal with these questions and more in our annual report on Canada for 2025.

Canada Report 2025
Dec 21 2024

Japan Fighting the Market Blaming Speculator not Its Policies


Posted originally on Dec 21, 2024 by Martin Armstrong 

Japan Yen 10000 2024

Japan is cascading into a serious debt crisis. Even Japanese finance officials have come out and been shocked by the fall of the Japanese yen back to retest the lows of 1990. They have been urging the Bank of Japan to intervene in foreign exchange and are naturally blaming speculators. Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato came out and stated:

“As we are alarmed by recent currency market developments including those driven by speculators, we’ll take appropriate action against excessive moves.”

IBJYUS Y Tech 12 19 24

In every government, they will always blame speculators and never their own policies. The mere fact that Kato has publicly made this statement demonstrates that the currency market is rather alarming, and the government is very concerned about the collapse of the Japanese yen. Currently, the dollar is trading at the 151 level. A year-end closing above 148 will warn that the dollar can rally substantially in the 200 to 250 zone. A close BELOW 147 would imply we could see the yen consolidate into 2026, but then it would resume a decline into 2027. Japan did conduct an intervention into the FOREX market buying yen last July to support its currency after fell below 161 per dollar level.

The BOJ’s rate-setting meeting concluded, suggesting that the U.S.-Japan interest rate differentials may not narrow as fast as previously expected. They did confirm that a former employee’s theft of over 1 billion yen from customers’ deposit boxes did not help with confidence overall.

Dec 20 2024

Newsom Declares State of Emergency


Posted originally on Dec 20, 2024 by Martin Armstrong 

Newsom California

Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency over the bird flu. Of the 34 reported cases, 33 were working directly in farms. There is no grave danger to the public at large. This publicity stunt is merely a way for Newsom to have more power over his state ahead of Trump’s inauguration.

Newsom enjoyed endless power under COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions. I’ve met countless people who call themselves “pandemic refugees” as they were forced to flee California during the pandemic as it became one of the most oppressive states in the nation.

“This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak. Building on California’s testing and monitoring system — the largest in the nation — we are committed to further protecting public health, supporting our agriculture industry, and ensuring that Californians have access to accurate, up-to-date information. While the risk to the public remains low, we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus,” Newsom declared.

Over 600 dairy farms are under quarantine in California due to the bird flu. I explained that the USDA will begin testing ALL dairy farms across America, despite no known instance of someone becoming sick from consuming dairy. There have not been any recorded cases of person-to-person spread either.

Newsom may now issue executive orders and proclamations under the premise that this virus is not posing a risk to the public at large. He may now assume direct control over emergency management and state operations, as well as expanding current budgets. He could actually make expenditures from any state fund available for his use. There is a deeper power play ploy at hand behind these actions.

Dec 20 2024

Postal Truck EV Fail – $3B Govt Waste


Posted Dec 20, 2024 by Martin Armstrong 

Governments are eager to spend your tax dollars on useless initiatives to save the planet from global warming. The Biden Administration spent BILLIONS on investing in EV infrastructure that never came to fruition. I spoke on how Biden approved of a $7.5 billion spending package to build EV charging stations throughout the nation, but only SEVEN were produced in over a two-year span. His most recent climate debacle that came to light rests on decarbonizing the Postal Service.

The government provided the Postal Service with funding to purchase 60,000 “Next Generation Delivery Vehicles” (NGDVs) from defense contractor Oshkosh. Oshkosh has never produced an electric truck and it is obvious why Biden avoided other more established EV manufacturers. Congress approved $3 billion to spend on this $10 billion project derived from the Inflation Reduction Act – the largest guise for climate spending in US history.

Out of that $3 BILLION, only 93 vehicles have been delivered since 2022.  Countless issues have been reported with these NGDVs from leaks to airbags. Worse, Oshkosh was never equipped to handle the production of 3,000 vehicles, and has stated that they have only been able to produce ONE truck per day. They are now working to refine their manufacturing to create 80 trucks per day. Again, there were other avenues and established factories.

Does anyone believe those small mail trucks are truly polluting the environment? Should the American people simply accept that they may not receive mail when the weather is less than ideal? “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds” unless forced to drive electric!

Dec 19 2024

Syrian Refugees Refuse to Leave Europe


Posted originally on Dec 19, 2024 by Martin Armstrong 

Refugees

The war is over and it is safe for Syrian refugees to return home. Assad is no longer a threat and nations like Austria, Greece, the Netherlands, UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, and Norway have suspended new refugee applications. Yet, what about the four million Syrian refugees seeking asylum in the European Union? Reports are circulating the obvious – they have no plans to return home.

“Why should you go back when you have everything here?… In Syria I no longer have a home, a job or friends. I will only fly to Syria for holidays and to visit family – probably next year when the airport is open again,” one 27-year-old male refugee told Welt news outlet.

Syria’s new leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani conducted an interview with an Italian news outlet one day after taking power. His first priorities are to restore security and stability in all Syrian cities, saying his people have been “exhausted by injustice and tyranny.” His second priority is “to bring back the millions of Syrian refugees who are scattered around the world,” he stated. “Their human capital and experience will help restart the country. My appeal goes out to all Syrians abroad: Syria is now a free country that has regained its pride and dignity. Come back. We need to rebuild, to get our country on its feet again, and we need everyone’s help.”

His third priority should perhaps be his second: strategic planning and restoring basic essential services like electricity and stabilizing the food supply. Still, Syria needs patriots to come home to help rebuild their nation.

Regardless, European nations have never had the resources to fund millions of asylum seekers. Thanks to former Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany boasts the largest Syrian population in the EU. HALF of all welfare recipients in Germany are of foreign origin or 2.7 million people. They have been comfortably living in Germany with no plans to return, in fact, 23% of Germany’s population is now migrants of children of migrants. This is one of the reasons we are seeing people turn to the AfD Party as the people do not want to subsidize the lives of millions who no longer even qualify as refugees.

Refugeee Welcome

Breitbart reported the same sentiments among refugees living across Europe. As one UK-based refugee stated: “After seven years of living in the UK, I don’t think I will go back… Some of those now in charge of Syria were members of al-Qaeda just a few years ago. I don’t think Syria is safe now, in a few months and possibly not even in a year.” The cost of supporting each refugee has spiked to 41,000 pounds per year.

Ideas such as free air travel back to Syria and cash incentives have been thrown around, but that does not outweigh the luxury of living in a developed nation free of charge and often above the law.