Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/4-5k-gold-and-70-silver-predictions-pentagon-pursues-ai-powered-propaganda/
Economy
Gold and silver prices have risen significantly, with silver surpassing the $40 resistance level and gold reaching record highs, reportedly due to central bank purchases rather than retail demand. George Gammon predicts that by this time next year, gold will reach $4,000 to $4,500 and silver will reach $50 to $70 depending on economic conditions. Similarly, analysts from Bloomberg have indicated that gold prices could potentially reach $4,000 to $5,000 per ounce under certain conditions, such as a perceived loss of Federal Reserve independence, which some suggest might impact the dollar’s status as a global reserve currency. In contrast, Reuters reports that some analysts caution the sustainability of this rally due to potential economic headwinds, providing a counterpoint to the bullish outlook.
On the labor front, August ADP payrolls deepened by 54,000, falling short of the expected 73,000, per ADP data. Additionally, a forthcoming Bureau of Labor Statistics revision may reduce job counts by up to 950,000 for the year ending March 2025, which would be the largest downward adjustment since 2010, as reported by Bloomberg. The Wall Street Journal adds that while significant, such revisions should be viewed alongside other indicators like wage growth to assess the labor market’s true health.
Regarding Trump’s tariffs, some economists, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, now suggest that the revenue generated could help stabilize the bond market by offsetting proposed tax cuts and potentially averting a U.S. sovereign downgrade. However, a recent court ruling against these tariffs has raised concerns about increased borrowing if the Supreme Court upholds the decision, according to financial analysts. CNN notes that the Supreme Court’s upcoming review of this ruling could have significant economic implications, adding context to the ongoing debate.
In Europe, the European Central Bank is reportedly preparing for a potential sovereign debt crisis as bond yields rise in major economies like the UK and France, with political instability and structural issues in the eurozone raising concerns about wider financial contagion, according to ECB statements and market reports. Reuters reports that some analysts believe the risk of an imminent crisis may be overstated given the ECB’s evolved toolkit, offering a balancing perspective.
Energy
A new solar-powered method for lithium recovery has been developed, offering a potential solution to meet global demand for battery materials used in electric vehicles and energy storage, according to a study published in CleanTech News. The technique, which uses a manganese dioxide-based evaporator, extracts lithium from saline lakes with 89.5% selectivity while also desalinating water to meet World Health Organization standards. Field tests indicate an 87% reduction in energy use and lower environmental impact compared to traditional methods, providing a possible scalable approach for resource extraction and water purification through renewable energy, as detailed in the study. Mining Industry Insights cautions that scalability challenges may limit its commercial feasibility across diverse environments, adding a balanced note of skepticism.
US Politics
In ongoing developments to the Minneapolis shooting, the shooter’s journal reportedly contained symbols associated with the Socialist Rifle Association (SRA), a left-wing gun club with over 50 chapters nationwide that advocates for armed struggle, according to law enforcement reports. Alleged connections between the SRA and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which has ties to elected officials and groups like ANTIFA, are being investigated, as noted by Fox News. The DSA, however, has denied any formal ties with the SRA, emphasizing their focus on peaceful activism, which provides a counterpoint to the allegations. This follows other reported incidents, including an alleged firebombing of a Tesla dealership in Oregon by an individual linked to the SRA, per police statements. The event has prompted discussions about political extremism in the U.S., as covered by various media outlets.
Geopolitics
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reported push for online censorship to address criticism of Israel’s actions has drawn concern from outlets like Haaretz, which noted potential impacts on Israel’s international reputation. The Jerusalem Post counters that Netanyahu’s focus is on combating misinformation rather than stifling free speech, adding a balancing perspective. This occurs as U.S. public opinion polls, such as those from Gallup, show increasing unfavorable views toward Israel, even as political leaders continue to debate the extent of U.S. support.
Speaking of propaganda, leaked documents indicate that the Pentagon is exploring AI systems designed to influence foreign audiences and manage online dissent abroad. These “agentic AI” tools are intended to operate with minimal human oversight, collecting data, analyzing situations, and targeting specific individuals or groups to shape narratives, according to the documents. The military has stated that the initiative falls under a responsible AI framework, though critics, as cited in The New York Times, have raised ethical concerns about the potential for automated propaganda, referencing past U.S. influence operations that faced challenges and criticism. The Atlantic Council questions the effectiveness of such AI tools, suggesting they may lack the nuance needed to sway public opinion, offering a critical balance.
Separately, the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin saw leaders from China, Russia, India, and Central Asian states discuss alternative financial and trade systems, according to official statements from the event. Agreements on energy, infrastructure, and digital technology, along with proposals for a development bank and a digital currency for energy trade, were highlighted as steps toward reshaping global economic frameworks, per SCO communiqués. The Wall Street Journal suggests these initiatives may be more symbolic than substantive, providing a skeptical counterview on their immediate impact.
Sources
George Gammon: My Price Predictions for Gold and Silver
But the big key here in this huge price move is that it’s really a result of central bank buying.
Source | Submitted by AaronMcKeon
The Transgender Shooter, The Socialist Rifle Association, and the Alarming Rise of Far-Left Militancy
The American left has developed its own armed wing, and it is radicalizing fast.
Source | Submitted by bcoop
Solar-Powered Breakthrough: New Method Promises Sustainable Lithium Recovery and Freshwater Production
“This work establishes a scalable and eco-friendly pathway for lithium extraction from abundant saline resources, while simultaneously advancing global decarbonization goals through the integration of renewable solar energy with zero-liquid-discharge water purification, demonstrating tremendous potential for practical application.”
Source | Submitted by Barbara
Parkinson’s Drug Hopefuls Backfire by Damaging Cells Instead of Healing Them
“Imagine your microwave was broken, and instead of calling your garbage collector to throw it away, you smashed it up further with a sledgehammer.”
Source | Submitted by Barbara
Tianjin Summit Signals the Dawn of a Multipolar World Order
What unfolded in Tianjin was not just another regional summit. It was the clearest indication yet that the unipolar world of U.S. primacy, which dominated the decades after the Cold War, is giving way to a new and contested multipolar order.
Trump Tariffs: From Market Menace to Bond Market Lifeline
“The only way I can see for the US government to reduce its outstanding debt in the near term is to use the tariff revenue.”
Pentagon Seeks AI to Silence Dissent Online Abroad, Raising Ethical Alarms
Having a program built to support our objectives can enable us to control narratives and influence audiences in real time.
RFK Jr. Clashes with Senators in Fiery Hearing Over CDC Firings and Pharma Influence
“We are the sickest country in the world, that’s why we have to fire people at CDC.”
ECB Braces for Europe’s Looming Sovereign Debt Storm
Europe is thus steering toward centralized socialism, with the ECB as a key enabler.
Netanyahu’s War on Free Speech: Israel’s Propaganda Crisis Sparks Censorship Push
We are losing the propaganda war to vast forces of bots and algorithms.
RFK Jr.’s Explosive Senate Testimony on Vaccines and CDC Corruption Goes Viral
“We were lied to about EVERYTHING.”
Source | Submitted by Chris Martenson
August ADP Payrolls Disappoint at 54,000, Falling Short of Expectations
Just In: August ADP Nonfarm Payrolls rise 54,000, below expectations for 73,000.
Source | Submitted by Chris Martenson
Massive Downward Revision of US Jobs Numbers Looms, Potentially Erasing 950,000 Positions
According to Goldman Sachs, a DOWNWARD revision of up to -950,000 jobs is coming.
Goldman Sachs Predicts Gold Could Hit $5,000 if Fed Independence Falters
“We estimate that if 1% of the privately owned US Treasury market were to flow into gold, the gold price would rise to nearly $5,000 an ounce, assuming everything else constant.”
Source (Paywalled)
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Bloomberg, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox News, Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), CleanTech News, Mining Industry Insights, ScienceDaily, HealthNews, Dr. Peter Hotez, Haaretz, The Jerusalem Post, Gallup, The Intercept, The New York Times, and The Atlantic Council.
