Originally published at: China Buys U.S. Farmland, Drones Sent to Taiwan – Peak Prosperity
China’s acquisition of over 300,000 acres of U.S. farmland near 19 military bases has raised alarms about potential espionage and sabotage. Reports from the New York Post and Wall Street Journal highlight incidents of Chinese nationals accessing sensitive sites, sometimes under the guise of tourism. This has led to nearly 100 such incidents in recent years, prompting concerns among U.S. officials. Additionally, there has been a significant increase in Chinese migrants crossing the U.S. southern border, many of whom are military-aged men traveling in coordinated groups. This influx has surged by 8,000% from 2021 to 2023, further heightening security concerns.
In parallel, China’s aggressive stance towards Taiwan continues to escalate. President Xi Jinping has reiterated his commitment to reunify Taiwan with the mainland, a move that could prompt U.S. intervention. The State Department’s recent approval of a $360 million arms sale to Taiwan, including hundreds of armed drones and missile equipment, underscores the U.S.’s support for Taiwan’s defense. This arms package, which includes 291 Altius-600M drones and 720 Switchblade drones, has been condemned by China as provocative. U.S. military leaders have indicated preparations for a potential conflict, with plans to deploy advanced unmanned systems in the Taiwan Strait.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has concluded his Asia tour, which included visits to North Korea and Vietnam, resulting in several agreements, notably a defense pact with Kim Jong Un. At a press conference in Hanoi, Putin hinted at potential changes to Russia’s nuclear deterrence policy, suggesting a lower threshold for nuclear weapon use. Upon returning to Russia, Putin announced plans to further develop Russia’s nuclear triad, emphasizing the enhancement of combat capabilities and the deployment of advanced military systems. This announcement comes amid heightened tensions with NATO and warnings to South Korea against supplying weapons to Ukraine.
The influence of powerful organizations like the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the concept of a New World Order were discussed by financial analyst John Rubino. He highlighted the potential collapse of the U.S. housing market, driven by geopolitical issues and actions of powerful entities. Rubino also discussed the BRICS nations’ efforts to reduce dependency on the U.S. dollar by buying gold and creating a gold-backed trading currency. This shift could lead to significant inflation in the U.S. as dollars return home, buying up assets and pushing prices up. Rubino warned about the implications of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), which could increase government control over financial transactions.
A recent webcast titled “1968” drew parallels between the political and economic turmoil of 1968 and current global tensions. The speaker highlighted similarities in multifamily housing construction, rising mortgage payments, and low home sales. The webcast also covered payroll revisions, inflation measures, and the challenges of achieving the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation target. The banking sector’s exposure to commercial real estate and the performance of lower-rated securities were also discussed, providing a comprehensive overview of the current economic landscape.
The economies of advanced nations, particularly those in the OECD, are facing a significant downturn. Since the early 1960s, GDP growth rates have been declining, with a 1% expected annual growth rate by 2022. This decline is attributed to stagnation in oil supply growth and rising interest rates, which have made borrowing more expensive and widened the wealth gap. The heavy reliance on debt in advanced economies makes them particularly vulnerable to these changes. The situation is analogous to biological ecosystems, where only the most efficient systems survive, suggesting that advanced economies may lose their leading status to more efficient, less advanced economies.
EPA regulations are posing a significant threat to grid reliability, particularly for the 856 electric co-ops that relied on coal-fired plants for 32% of their electricity in 2022. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has identified the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) as the region most at risk of rolling blackouts until 2028. Our analysis of EPA’s proposed regulations revealed that the MISO grid could experience massive rolling blackouts, with the largest event affecting 25,900 MW and leaving 8.8 million people without power. Dairyland Power Cooperative is already adjusting its resource planning based on the assumption that EPA rules will remain in effect.
David Stockman has criticized European leaders for their stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, arguing that Russia is not an expansionist power and that the conflict is a territorial and civil war within historic Russia. He questions NATO’s involvement and suggests that the conflict is rooted in historical territorial disputes and civil strife. Stockman warns that the U.S. government’s spending on foreign policy and military interventions is unsustainable and could lead to a significant disaster.
Sources
China’s Strategic Farmland Purchases Near U.S. Military Bases Raise Espionage Concerns
China has been buying up strategically placed farmland next to military installations across the US, raising national security fears over potential espionage or even sabotage.
Source | Submitted by AaronMcKeon
Washington Approves $360 Million Arms Sale to Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions with China
The State Department said earlier this week that it has green-lit a $360 million arms sale to Taipei, including hundreds of armed drones, missile equipment, and other support material.
Source | Submitted by AaronMcKeon
Putin Hints at Nuclear Doctrine Shift Amid New Defense Pact with North Korea
“We plan to further develop the nuclear triad as a guarantee of strategic deterrence and maintaining the balance of power in the world,” he said.
Source | Submitted by AaronMcKeon
The New World Order: Financial Bubbles, BRICS, and the Future of Global Currency
The trend away from US dollars as the world’s only reserve asset and only major trading currency is pretty much underway.
Source | Submitted by rhollenb
1968 Redux: Echoes of a Tumultuous Year in Today’s Political and Economic Climate
“Interestingly, the year 1968 began with the first day of the year. The New York Times had their headline, ‘World Bids Adieu to Violent Year.'”
Source | Submitted by rhollenb
The Looming Decline of Advanced Economies: A Perfect Storm of Debt, Oil, and Interest Rates
The Advanced Economies are head for a downfall
Source | Submitted by rhollenb
Gold Bull Market in Early Stages: Insights from Adam Rozencwajg
“With gold prices reaching new record highs and central banks significantly increasing their gold reserves, Adam discusses the implications for investors and the global economy.”
Source | Submitted by biro
EPA Regulations Could Spark Massive Rolling Blackouts, Warns Keynote Speaker at Dairyland Power Cooperative Meeting
“As Mitch and I have detailed in previous articles, EPA’s regulations present a clear and present danger to grid reliability in the United States.”
Source | Submitted by Barbara
David Stockman Criticizes EU’s Stance on Russia-Ukraine Conflict
The Russia-Ukraine conflict is none of western Europe’s business—since its essentially a territorial and civil war within the borders of historic Russia.
Source | Submitted by DrBRGR