Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/us-israel-posture-for-war-tsla-soars-despite-attacks-silversqueeze-coming-march-31/
Geopolitics
Tensions in the Middle East are reportedly escalating as the U.S. and Israel conduct joint military exercises amid concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. President Trump has issued a statement urging Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions, with severe consequences suggested if compliance is not met. Reports indicate that nuclear options are being considered. The Pentagon is preparing for potential conflict, and the deployment of a second U.S. aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, to the region highlights the seriousness of the situation. An X post from the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) emphasized their commitment to regional stability and readiness to respond to any threats.
Meanwhile, Israel and Hezbollah are experiencing heightened tensions following rocket exchanges and airstrikes, despite Hezbollah’s denial of involvement and stated commitment to a ceasefire. The Lebanese army has reportedly increased its presence along the border with Israel, indicating heightened alert status.
In Europe, leaders are reportedly drafting a contingency plan to maintain NATO’s strength amid concerns about a potential U.S. withdrawal from leadership. This follows Trump’s previous comments about weakening the alliance. European countries are considering increasing defense spending to reduce reliance on the U.S., with plans to enhance military capabilities and stockpiles. France’s Macron has proposed extending France’s nuclear deterrent over Europe, as France is the only EU country with nuclear weapons.
In Ukraine, the status of annexed territories remains a critical issue in peace negotiations. Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, noted the challenge of addressing these territories, which are under Russian control and have held referendums favoring Russian rule. The resolution of this issue is seen as pivotal to ending the conflict, but domestic political challenges in Ukraine complicate potential territorial concessions. The Kyiv Independent reported that while there are pressures from the U.S. for Ukraine to consider these concessions, Zelensky has publicly resisted, stating that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable.
On to China, the Biden administration’s Pentagon and Energy Department have now been linked to 102 research projects involving sanctioned Chinese supercomputers. This revelation raises questions about the collaboration between U.S. government agencies and entities under sanctions, particularly in the context of technological and environmental research. The implications of these partnerships are likely to be examined as part of broader discussions on national security and international relations. The Department of Energy clarified that all research collaborations are vetted for compliance with U.S. laws and regulations, ensuring no sensitive information is shared with sanctioned entities.
US Politics
President Trump is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court to halt nationwide injunctions that block his executive orders. Trump argues that these injunctions, issued by judges he describes as partisan, obstruct his efforts to implement policies and insists they should be stopped immediately. The administration faces over 100 lawsuits challenging executive orders, including those related to military service and immigration. Trump has called for legislative action to limit the power of district court judges to issue such injunctions. Senator Josh Hawley announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at limiting the power of district court judges to issue nationwide injunctions against presidential policies.
In a separate development, Trump has criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for his comments on Tesla stock, highlighting the state’s significant investment in Tesla through its retirement funds. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has publicly criticized Walz for allegedly opposing the state’s financial interests. Relatedly, a Tesla owner in Washington reportedly faced road rage over allegations of driving a “Nazi car,” highlighting ongoing tensions and controversies surrounding the brand. The Seattle Times reported that Tesla owners in the Seattle area have increasingly become targets of harassment, with some incidents escalating to vandalism and arson.
Despite the continued attacks on Tesla vehicles, Tesla has seen a surge in retail investor interest, with over $8 billion invested in the stock in a record-breaking 13 days. This influx of investment reflects confidence in the company’s future prospects, despite recent criticisms and incidents involving Tesla vehicles.
Economy
In the precious metals market, a social media campaign is reportedly gaining momentum to trigger a “silver squeeze” by encouraging the purchase of physical silver on March 31st. The campaign aims to influence silver prices and regain price control. The Silver Institute advised caution, noting that while retail buying can influence short-term prices, the fundamentals of supply and demand remain the primary drivers of long-term silver prices.
Meanwhile, the Treasury yield curve has re-inverted as the government attempts to lower long-term yields, with the 10-year Treasury yield experiencing fluctuations. Despite these efforts, mortgage rates have not fully aligned, leading to a wider spread. The Federal Reserve’s stance on inflation and interest rates has calmed the bond market, but the spread between mortgage rates and Treasury yields remains historically wide. This situation impacts borrowing costs for businesses and households, with potential implications for economic growth and inflation. Freddie Mac reported that despite the drop in the 10-year yield, mortgage rates have not followed suit as expected, with the spread between mortgage rates and the 10-year yield widening to 2.41 percentage points.
Health
A new study claims that COVID-19 vaccination is linked to a range of health issues in 1.7 million people, including hair loss, shingles, and endometriosis. The study suggests that the vaccine may have broad-spectrum side effects affecting various bodily systems, though the findings are expected to be scrutinized and debated within the scientific community. The Lancet published an editorial arguing that while side effects are a known risk with any vaccine, the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine far outweigh the risks.
Sources
Nuclear Options on the Table: Trump’s Ultimatum to Iran Raises Global Stakes
We can’t let them have a nuclear weapon,” Trump says. “I would rather have a peace deal than the other option but the other option will solve the problem.
Source | Submitted by Rodster
Treasury Yield Curve Re-Inverts: Government Tactics Lower Long-Term Yields, Mortgage Rates Lag Behind
The yield curve has re-inverted with a sag in the middle.
Source | Submitted by rhollenb
Elon Musk Calls Out Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for Tesla Stock Criticism Amid State Investments
Tim Walz is the governor of Minnesota. Minnesota has 1.6 million shares of Tesla in its retirement fund and another 211,000 in its non-retirement fund.
Source | Submitted by Chris Martenson
Witkoff to Carlson: Annexed Territories Are the ‘Elephant in the Room’ for Ukraine Peace
The US top envoy described the question of the fate of the annexed territories in Ukraine’s east as ‘an elephant in the room’ that ‘no one wants to talk about.’
Tesla Owner in Washington Faces Road Rage Over “Nazi Car” Allegation
“Sell Your Nazi Car!”: Tesla Owner In Washington Screamed At In Road Rage Incident
Trump Appeals to Supreme Court to Halt Nationwide Injunctions on Executive Orders
STOP NATIONWIDE INJUNCTIONS NOW, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
Israel-Hezbollah Tensions Flare: Ceasefire Teeters Amid Rocket Exchanges and Airstrikes
Is the Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire now also on the brink of collapse?
European Powers Draft Contingency Plan to Lead NATO Amid US Withdrawal Fears
The discussions are an attempt to avoid the chaos of a unilateral US withdrawal from Nato, a fear sparked by President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to weaken or walk away from the transatlantic alliance that has protected Europe for almost eight decades.
Biden Administration’s Pentagon and Energy Department Linked to 102 Research Projects with Sanctioned Chinese Supercomputers
BREAKING: 🚨 Biden Pentagon and Energy Department funded 102 research initiatives tied to sanctioned Chinese supercomputers.
Study Claims COVID-19 Vaccination Linked to Diverse Health Issues in 1.7 Million People
COVID-19 vaccination was linked to broad-spectrum side effects affecting dermatological, gynecological, ophthalmological, auditory
Silver Squeeze 2.0: Social Media Campaign Aims to Shake Up Precious Metals Market on March 31st
There’s a growing movement to buy physical silver on March 31st in an effort to trigger a silver squeeze and break the ongoing suppression of silver prices—join us!
Pentagon Deploys Second Aircraft Carrier to Middle East Amid Escalating Tensions
SECOND U.S. AIRCRAFT CARRIER SENT AS MIDDLE EAST ERUPTS
Tesla Retail Investors Surge: $8 Billion Pumped into Stock in Record-Breaking 13 Days
$TSLA RETAIL INVESTORS HAVE PUMPED OVER $8 BILLION INTO THE STOCK IN THE LAST 13 DAYS — THE LARGEST IN HISTORY
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on X, Middle East Eye on X, Financial Times, Kyiv Independent, Senator Josh Hawley on X, Minnesota Public Radio, Freddie Mac, Silver Institute on X, The Lancet, The Seattle Times, and Department of Energy on X.
