Publications archives

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Jan 14, 2015 0 Comments

As Venezuela sinks, Ecuador rises as chief anti-Yankee antagonist Articles / Opinion Editorials, Publications

Authors: J.D. GORDON

While Venezuela sinks as the oil market bottoms out, infrastructure crumbles, food shortages abound, the murder rate soars and civil unrest simmers, Ecuador is quietly rising to lead the charge against U.S. interests in Latin America.

It’s no secret that Nicolas Maduro, the track suit-wearing, former bus driver and Hugo Chavez protégé is failing to fill El Comandante’s shoes since he died of cancer in 2013.

Complicating his grip on Caracas, according to Citi Research, Venezuela needs oil at least $151 a barrel to balance their budget. Unless oil prices dramatically rebound, his regime won’t last much longer…. Continue Reading »

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Jan 8, 2015 0 Comments

Dropping Oil Prices Reveal Failed Economic Policies in Latin America Articles / Opinion Editorials, Publications

Authors: FERNANDO MENÉNDEZ

As the global price of oil drops, the effects of this phenomenon are unveiling the failure of Latin America’s populist governments to generate sustainable prosperity while depending on oil-for-loans schemes, mainly with China.

In the last few months, the price of Brent crude oil has declined from a high of over $140 per barrel to under $60 a barrel as of the latest date. The reasons for the decline are manifold, but two stand out for many analysts. First, a technological revolution in energy extraction, known as “fracking” has substantially increased the supply of petroleum and natural gas in the U.S., making it less dependent on foreign sources of oil. Second, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf state producers have increased output in an attempt to drive out marginal producers, whose cost of production are highest. For instance, the on-shore unit cost of production in Saudi Arabia averages $18 while U.S. costs’ average $34 a barrel…. Continue Reading »

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Jan 5, 2015 0 Comments

Obama Rolls Dice With American Lives Over GITMO Releases Articles / Opinion Editorials, Publications

Authors: J.D. GORDON

Snake eyes, you die. Seven, eleven, you live. All other rolls of the dice are anybody’s guess.

Yes, just like craps, such is the randomness of President Barack Obama’s gamble on releasing so many radical Islamic terror suspects from Guantanamo and hoping they don’t kill Americans and our allies. Yet sadly it’s no game, countless lives are at stake.

Of the 779 detainees ever held at Gitmo, almost 650 detainees have been released. U.S. intelligence authorities report that nearly 1 in 3 are confirmed or suspected of having returned to terrorism…. Continue Reading »