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Monday, December 19, 2016

Gold World News Flash

Gold World News Flash

America Warns European Travelers: Christmas Shoppers In Jihadist Crosshairs

Posted: 19 Dec 2016 01:00 AM PST

Submitted by George Igler via The Gatestone Institute,

  • In Ludwigshafen, Germany, a "'strongly radicalized" 12-year-old boy "of Iraqi heritage" planted a bomb at a Christmas market at the end of November.
  • Previously, the festive shopping tradition of Christmas markets had become "potent symbols of freedom," with Germany's Interior Minister, Thomas de Maizière, urging people to stick to unserem Leben -- "our way of life."
  • In Birmingham, England, the Christmas market has concrete barriers installed to deter vehicular suicide bombers. According to the head of Britain's foreign intelligence service, the magnitude of the terrorism faced by the UK is "unprecedented."
  • French security forces thwarted attacks planned for December 1, against Disneyland Paris and the Christmas market on the main thoroughfare of the French capital, the Champs-Elysée.
  • With a pro-Sharia (Islamic law) advocate now secretary of state in the Berlin regional senate, and other Muslims even refusing to shake the hand of the German President Joachim Gauck at events designed to promote integration, Germany's "way of life" is changing fast.

As the winter nights lengthen, an even darker shadow is falling across the run-up to the Christmas holidays in several European nations. Families in markets and shopping districts across the continent are buying presents in the knowledge that jihadists mean to target them.

On November 21, the U.S. Department of State cited a "heightened risk of terror attacks" in an advisory statement set to expire only on February 20, 2017.

"Credible information," quotes Newsweek, prompted a warning to American travellers to "exercise caution at holiday festivals, events, and outdoor markets," given planned attacks by Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

Those attending "large holiday events, visiting tourist sites, using public transportation, and frequenting places of worship, restaurants, hotels, etc." were likewise urged to exercise vigilance.

On December 16, German media reported that:

"a 12-year-old boy was suspected of planning two different bomb attacks in the western German city of Ludwigshafen. The German magazine 'Focus' said he had first tried to target a Christmas market at the end of November, before placing a backpack with explosives near a high-rise building containing both city hall and a shopping center."

"The suspect was born in Germany but is of Iraqi heritage," reported NBC News, adding: "the 'strongly radicalized' youth was likely 'incited and instructed' by an 'unidentified member of ISIS.'"

This comes just two weeks after a December 2 report, Changes in Modus Operandi of Islamic State Revisited, from the European policing agency, Europol, cited the possibility of "several dozen" attacks against civilian soft targets.


In Ludwigshafen, Germany, a "'strongly radicalized" 12-year-old boy "of Iraqi heritage" planted a bomb at a Christmas market at the end of November. (Image source: Focus video screenshot)

With terrorists claiming to act in the name of ISIS already able to plan "relatively complex attacks -- including those on multiple targets -- quickly and effectively," according to the Europol report, the tactics of the battlefields of the Middle East, "such as the use of car bombs, extortion and kidnappings," may well be exported into Europe.

The credibility of such intelligence data has been further strengthened by a wave of arrests and increased troop deployments in several European countries. Germany, for instance, is associated with the ice rinks, outside stalls, and warm spiced wine of Christmas markets; an estimated 1,500 are spread across the country.

The strengthened security followed a credible bomb threat against an international soccer match on November 17, 2015, which forced the lockdown of the northern city of Hanover and a cancellation by Chancellor Angela Merkel, who had planned to attend.

On the basis of attacks in the country to date, the cities of Munich, Ansbach, Berlin, Ochsenfurt, Grafing, Reutlingen and Frankfurt -- which contains the country's largest Christmas market -- are Germany's danger hotspots.

The festive shopping tradition across Europe is causing headaches, however, to security officials in several other nations.

In France, twin swoops against an alleged jihadist cell, operating from the European parliamentary city of Strasbourg and the port city of Marseilles, thwarted attacks planned for December 1, against Disneyland Paris and the Christmas market on the main thoroughfare of the French capital, the Champs-Elysée.

Reports also suggest that this anti-terror operation may have come just in time to intercept a weapons shipment.

As the Europol report explains:

"[A]utomatic firearms still seem to be the weapons of choice of terrorist cells committing large scale attacks, because of their relative ease of access, use and effectiveness. Firearms can be obtained from criminal sources, in some cases from those the terrorists already know from their own criminal pasts." (p.10)

The Daily Mirror reports: "It is feared that the current military operation on Mosul will force Islamic State to change tactics and rather than hold ground, concentrate on attacking Europe." With returnees expected as a result of the eventual collapse of ISIS strongholds -- 2,000-2,500 jihadists originating from Europe are still said to be fighting in Iraq and Syria -- the terror group is predicted to start launching attacks against Europe from bases in Libya.

According to Jean-Charles Brisard, a leading French security expert, despite the more rigorous measures introduced by the French government as a consequence of the major attacks that have struck France since 2015, the capacity of the nation's latent ISIS networks "has not been affected." An increased presence of troops on French streets has already given the nation a paramilitary character.

Meanwhile, in Britain, the entirety of the country's elite Special Forces, the SAS, have had their leave cancelled as a consequence of undercover deployments across the nation's Christmas shopping districts.

Under Operation Temperer, run by the British Army, 5,000 troops are covertly patrolling busy streets, with police in cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham all having asked for extra assistance. Outdoor Christmas markets, originally a feature of Germany's holiday celebrations, have become increasingly popular in recent years across many British cities.

On December 11, officers armed with assault rifles raided locations in London, Burton upon Trent, and Derby, in an investigation believed to center on an ISIS plot to target Christmas markets. In "international terrorism-related" arrests, according to police sources, four men from Derby, aged 22, 27, 35 and 36, in addition to a 27-year old man from Burton upon Trent, have all been detained.

A 32-year old woman from London was also arrested "on suspicion of engaging in the preparation of an act of terrorism," on behalf of the suspected ISIS terror cell. One of those being detained, according to the Daily Mail, is said to be an asylum seeker, "who may not have been in Britain for long."

In Birmingham, the Christmas market has concrete barriers installed to deter vehicular suicide bombers. According to the head of Britain's foreign intelligence service (MI6), the magnitude of the terrorism faced by the UK is "unprecedented."

"The risks at stake are profound and represent a fundamental threat to our sovereignty," said the MI6 chief, Alex Younger, who also cited the extreme dangers posed by "hybrid attacks," in which conventional terrorism is combined with cyber-security breaches. Up to 3,000 Islamic extremists presently reside in Britain, according to Andrew Parker, head of its domestic intelligence agency, MI5.

The porosity of European borders has necessitated the need to ramp up cooperation between domestic and transnational security agencies across the continent. This makes the report issued by Europol instructive, issued as it was under the auspices of its British-born director, Robin Wainwright, as it goes to great lengths to play down the significance of cyber-attacks.

British security officers, however, have "never been under so much pressure," and the lack of agreement and effectiveness of international cooperation may well be one cause why.

Last year, the sense of nervousness was "palpable" among Germans, despite increased police deployed to Christmas markets in the states of Berlin, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hessen, North Rhine Westphalia and Thuringia.

This of course came before the New Year's Eve wave of mass sexual assaults, which targeted Cologne, Hamburg and other cities, with the police failures which allowed for the assaults recently described in a new book entitled, The Night that Changed Germany.

Previously, the festive shopping tradition of Christmas markets had become "potent symbols of freedom," with Germany's Interior Minister, Thomas de Maizière, urging people to stick to unserem Leben -- "our way of life."

With a pro-Sharia law advocate now secretary of state in the Berlin regional senate, and other Muslims even refusing to shake the hand of the country's president, Joachim Gauck, at events designed to promote integration, that way of life is changing fast.

"Gold Is Now Effectively Illegal" In India - The Consequences Of Creating A Cashless Society

Posted: 19 Dec 2016 12:00 AM PST

Jayant Bhandari warns "there are clear signs that in a very convoluted way, possession of gold for investment purposes will be made illegal" as he discusses India's attempts to create a cashless society (and consequences of it) and why precious metals and geographical diversification are the most viable options investors around the world, not just India, should be taking.

"The situation is getting worse by the day... people are desperate"

Jayant provides the clearest explanation of where India is (and where it is going) in the brief interview with ProvenAndProbable.com's Maurice Jackson ...

 

As Jayant detailed previously, expect a continuation of new social engineering notifications, each sabotaging wealth-creation, confiscating people’s wealth, and tyrannizing those who refuse to be a part of the herd, in the process destroying the very backbone of the economy and civilization.

There are clear signs that in a very convoluted way, possession of gold for investment purposes will be made illegal. Expect capital controls to follow.

Gold Bullion Is Now Effectively Illegal

Assaults on people’s private property and the integrity of their homes through tax-raids continue.  In a recent notification, government has made it clear that any ownership of jewelry above 500 grams of gold per married woman will be put under the microscopic scrutiny of tax authorities.

Steep taxes and penalties will be imposed on those who cannot prove the source of their gold. In India’s Orwellian new-speak this means that because bullion has not been explicitly mentioned, its ownership will be deemed to be illegal. Courts will do what Modi wants. Huge bribes will have to be paid.

Sane people are of course cleaning up their bank lockers. The secondary consequence of this will be a steep increase in unreported crimes, for people will be afraid of going to the police after a theft, fearing that the tax authorities will then ask questions. At the same time, the gold market has mostly gone underground, and apparently the volume of gold buying has gone up.

The salaried middle class is the consumption class, often heavily indebted. Poor people have limited amounts of gold. The government is merely doing what pleases the majority and their sense of envy, to the detriment of small businesses and savers. Now, the middle class is starting to face problems as well. This will worsen once the the impact of the destruction of small businesses becomes obvious.

India has always had a negative-yielding economy. It has suddenly become even more negative-yielding. Business risk has gone through the roof. Savers will be victimized. It is because of negative yields that Indian savers buy gold. They will buy more going forward.

Sane Indians should stay a step ahead of their rapacious government and the evolving totalitarian society, which are less and less inhibited by any institutions or values in support of liberty.

Conclusion

India will become a police state, likely with the full support of most Indians. Nationalism will be the thread that weaves them together. But it is a fake thread, devoid of any value. Eventually, there will be far too many stresses in the system, whose institutions are already in an advance stage of decay.

India as it exists today is a British creation. With the British now gone for 69 years, it is an entity has less and less reason to exist in its current form. The glue of reason that the British have applied is flaking, and it is doing so rapidly under the catalyst by name of Narendra Modi.

Obama Is Still Blaming Gold-Hoarding Russia

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 11:14 PM PST

russia-obama

Source: independent.co.uk

In a surprisingly strong-worded speech, President Obama lashed out against the media and the Russians, as the latter are still perceived to be the main culprit of Hillary Clinton's loss in the presidential race. We're now just one month away from Donald Trump being installed in the Oval Office, but it looks like the current president is wildly kicking around with unfounded accusations and allegations.

Not only did Obama declare he now knows 'with certainty' Russian hackers have helped Trump to win the presidential elections, but once again stirred things up with provocative statements like 'Russia is a much weaker country' and 'Russia doesn't produce anything anybody wants to buy'.

russia-nobel

Source: bbci.co.uk

Funny. These are the exact same statements Obama made all the way back in 2014, so you can hardly say he's being original here as it's the same recycled statement. We are always wondering why the USA, as self-proclaimed peace keeper of the world, is now trying to provoke Russia, as no evidence about the Russians rigging the elections has been produced. And oh, keep in mind these type of remarks are quite spectacular for someone who has won the Nobel Peace Prize.  Let's take a look at why exactly Obama originally won the award, and what the jury thought:

'Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts.'.

So when someone who apparently doesn't have anything to gain from lashing out at Russia, 5 weeks before leaving office, is doing so, we're always wondering what the 'real' story is. Sure, the Federal Reserve has just hiked the interest rates, as expected, and this might have a negative effect on the labor market as a higher cost of debt will reduce the appetite of companies to commit to certain investments.

Perhaps even more important is the issue the Fed now thinks it will be able to increase the interest rate by an additional three steps in 2017, which could mean we will see an interest rate of 1.5% by the end of next year. The impact of this (expected) rate hike was immediately visible in the interest rate on the 10 year government bond yield:

russia-10y

Source: Stockcharts.com

This increase of 0.8% (since the elections) means that in the theoretical case of the US government debt being refinanced on a 10 year term, the total interest expenses would increase by $160B (yes, one hundred sixty BILLION dollar) per year, or $500 per citizen. Imagine an additional 0.5-1% would be added to this interest bill…

Perhaps that's why Obama was so anxious to find a different 'enemy', to draw the attention away from the domestic problems in the USA. After all, the higher interest expenses will have to be paid somehow and there are only two ways to do this. The first option is to issue even more debt, which reinforces the current vicious circle as issuing more government debt increases the debt burden even more, and will result in an even higher interest expense in the next year.

The second option is pretty much political suicide, as it would mean the US government would have to find a way to increase the tax income per member of the US population by $500/year (and this would be the equivalent to $1000 per employed person).

russia-gold

Source: tradingeconomics.com

Perhaps that's why the USA is looking for an enemy, and then Russia is the easy 'victim', as it has been in the past 70 years. But Russia is playing it smart. Most realistic people know a monetary reset is now pretty much inevitable, and even though most eyes have been on China, Russia continues to spend boatloads of US Dollars on purchasing more and more gold. In September and October alone, Russia added exactly 2.5 million ounces of gold (for a face value of approximately $3B) to the central bank's vaults. That's a bold monetary statement, as the value of the gold as of at the end of October represented in excess of 16% of the total foreign reserves of the Russian state.

The increasingly provocative stance against Russia could very well be a smoke screen to divert the attention away from the real problems.

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Breaking: Communist Chinese Now Censoring US Web

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 11:00 PM PST

 Alex Jones reveals how the globalists are targeting Infowars with denial of service attacks and how the mainstream media is pushing for complete web censorship in the style of the communist Chinese. The Financial Armageddon Economic Collapse Blog tracks trends and forecasts ,...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit http://financearmageddon.blogspot.com http://bobchapman.blogspot.com for full links, other content, and more! ]]

BREAKING: Top Us Intel Agency Just Gave Trump The Biggest Present Of His Lifetime!

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 10:00 PM PST

 BREAKING: Top Us Intel Agency Just Gave Trump The Biggest Present Of His Lifetime! The Financial Armageddon Economic Collapse Blog tracks trends and forecasts , futurists , visionaries , free investigative journalists , researchers , Whistelblowers , truthers and many more

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit http://financearmageddon.blogspot.com http://bobchapman.blogspot.com for full links, other content, and more! ]]

BREAKING: Obama Wants War With Russia Before He Leaves Office!

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 09:00 PM PST

 In a year-end press conference Obama told the media that Russia hacked the US election. Hillary Clinton's loss, according to Obama and his sources, is Vladimir Putin's fault. The Financial Armageddon Economic Collapse Blog tracks trends and forecasts , futurists , visionaries , free...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit http://financearmageddon.blogspot.com http://bobchapman.blogspot.com for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Federal Reserve and Stronger Real Rates Cause Breakdown in Gold

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 08:59 PM PST

Gold and gold mining stocks were setting up for a rebound until the market suddenly priced in tighter policy from the Federal Reserve. Both nominal and real yields surged and that pushed an already oversold sector below key support. Gold lost support in the mid $1100s while gold stocks (GDX) lost a critical support level. While the sector is oversold and likely to rebound as 2017 begins, the primary trend remains lower.

Gold and Silver New Bull or Bear Market Rally ?

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 08:44 PM PST

Buckle Up ,Pour yourself your favorite beverage , and take some time . This Report will be an in depth Chartology analysis of the current situation in this ever interesting and often exasperating market we are participating in. Oh and don’t forget to open your mind. Lets begin. I would like to start the Weekend Report by looking at a combo chart which has the US dollar on top and gold on the bottom, which shows you a better version of the positive divergence the US dollar had vs gold in 2011. First note the red arrows on the US dollar and gold back in 2008 when gold was making a high, and the US dollar was making a low, which is what you would expect. Now look at the two red arrows in 2011 whch shows the all time high for gold and a higher low for the US dollar vs the 2008 low. Gold rallied almost 1200 points to its 2011 bull market high, but the US dollar made a higher low. If they were on an equal footing the US dollar should have traded much lower when gold was making its all time high. That’s how I viewed the positive divergence for the US dollar vs gold.

Archive of gold and silver market rigging reports added to annotated gold chart

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 08:37 PM PST

11:36p ET Sunday, December 18, 2016

Dear Friend of GATA and Gold:

Statistician Nick Laird of Gold Charts R Us has attached an archive of news reports about manipulation of the monetary metals market to his chart that annotates gold price movements with the bullion bank traders' market-rigging messages. The expanded chart is headlined "Court Case Media re Gold/Silver Manipulation" and it's posted here:

http://www.goldchartsrus.com/chartstemp/CCMarketManipulation.php

CHRIS POWELL, Secretary/Treasurer
Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee Inc.
CPowell@GATA.org


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Canadian Government Issues Key Water License
for Seabridge Gold's KSM Project in British Columbia

Company Announcement
Monday, November 21, 2016

TORONTO -- Seabridge Gold Inc. (TSX: SEA) (NYSE:SA) announced today it has received a license from the Government of Canada required for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the water storage facility and associated ancillary water works at its 100 percent-owned KSM Project in northwestern British Columbia.

The license, as authorized within the International Rivers Improvement Act, regulates all structures and activities situated on transboundary waters shared with the United States that have the potential to affect water quality and quantity. The Water storage facility and its ancillary water works (water diversion ditches and tunnels) are the primary water management control systems for the KSM Project. These facilities separate water that has not contacted mined material from so-called contact water originating from disturbed areas of the mine site and then contain the contact water prior to treatment and eventual release to the receiving environment.

These facilities are situated on Mitchell and Sulphurets creeks, tributaries of the transboundary Unuk River system that flows into Alaska. The license was granted for a term of 25 years under the International Rivers Improvements Regulations as administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada. ...

... For the remainder of the announcement:

http://seabridgegold.net/News/Article/642/federal-government-issues-key-...


Help keep GATA going

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BREAKING: After US Courts Smash 'HILLARY's COUP Against TRUMP' MSM Goes Silent.

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 08:00 PM PST

 Mainstream Media Goes Silent After US Courts Smash Clinton Coup Against Trump. The Financial Armageddon Economic Collapse Blog tracks trends and forecasts , futurists , visionaries , free investigative journalists , researchers , Whistelblowers , truthers and many more

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Trump Can't Stop It: "The People Who Have Been Orchestrating The Collapse Have Not Halted Their Agendas"

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 07:20 PM PST

Submitted by Jeremiah Johnson (nom de plume of a retired Green Beret of the United States Army Special Forces (Airborne)) via SHTFPlan.com,

There are some very somber, pragmatic articles circulating as of late that present a true snapshot of the difficulties the U.S. faces after eight years of Obama.  One of these articles is a well-written, thought-provoking piece by Susan Duclos of All News Pipeline, entitled We are Facing the Most Important Battle of All at the Most Dangerous Moment in History.  The piece shows what we’re up against and cautions all of us not to rely on the “magic fix” of Trump’s victory to side rail our preparations and vigilance.  Here is an excerpt from that excellent article:

“We at ANP are noting a lot of optimism from investors with stocks soaring,  to economic confidence reaching new highs, to small business owners, to household spending and even prepping has hit a “multi-year low,” all the articles I am reading are crediting the election of Donald Trump as reason for all this optimism, but as much as I hate to rain on everyone’s parade… now is the most dangerous time in history, not a time to assume just because one man was elected, all the wrongs will be made right, the failing economy will automatically just magically fix itself.”

Susan deserves special thanks, as well as Stefan Stanford; their coverage of developments has been spot-on and unwavering in their attempts to present objective and factual reporting, while warning readers akin to modern Paul Reveres that the battle is not over by any means.  In reality, it is not even close to being over.  I recommend reading the article’s section toward the beginning under “THE ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING” paragraph introduction for statistics on where we stand economically at this moment in time.

There was a piece released by Michael Snyder of the Economic Collapse Blog on December 8th entitled It is Like a Nuclear Bomb Went Off in the Prepping Community, another timely piece that warns of the complacency settling in now that most conservatives believe that Trump will be the vaccine for the country’s illnesses.  Here is an excerpt from that article:

Not since the election of Ronald Reagan has the mood on the right shifted in such a positive direction so suddenly.  But now that everyone is feeling so good about things, very few people still seem interested in prepping for hard times ahead.  In fact, it is like a nuclear bomb went off in the prepping community.

 

As the publisher of The Economic Collapse Blog, I am in contact with a lot of people that serve the prepping community.  And I can tell you that sales of emergency food and supplies have been crashing since Donald Trump’s surprise election victory.  Firms that help people relocate outside of the United States have seen business really dry up, and I know of one high profile individual that has actually decided to move back to the country after Trump’s victory. 

 

It is almost as if the apocalypse has been canceled and the future history of the U.S. has been rewritten with a much happier ending.  Personally, I am quite alarmed that so many people are suddenly letting their guard down, but it is difficult to convince people to be vigilant when things seem to be going so well. 

Mike’s sentiments are completely accurate and I agree with them wholeheartedly.  The people who have been orchestrating the collapses of national governments (Ukraine, Libya, and Egypt, for example) and have been funding the “fundamental transformations” of other areas, (such as Syria and Yemen) have not halted their agendas.  And, why would they?  There are hundreds of billions of dollars at stake that have already been invested in the planned collapse of all the nations of the world and the absorption into one global governance split (as written in earlier articles) into three areas to promote “homogeneity” and management along lines of ethnic, cultural, and genotypical similarities.

It appears as if the U.S. may take a little bit longer than expected, now.  “May” is still the deciding word.  Remember: the 9-11 attack was what enabled Bush Jr. to propel the U.S. toward a police state.  The John Warner Defense Act was signed in 2006, and the Patriot Act did not originate under Obama, but under Bush.  You can see the “Overton Window” principle and the resultant paradigm shifts as you observe each successive election and term of office…the “back and forth” from (supposedly) Conservative to Liberal administrations.  Reagan (8 years) and Bush Sr. (4 years, when the decline began), followed by Clinton (8 years) and then Bush Jr. (8 years) and then Obama (8 years) …and here’s Trump for at least 4 years.

The Republican administrations gave a few “small pushes” toward globalism, while the Democrats gave “huge pushes” that moved the line of what the public could tolerate further along the path… alternatingly scaling back with the Republican administration that followed.

The globalists need the illusion of the two-party system to enable a “reprieve” in the minds of the people with the rise of a Bush or a Trump…but the reprieve is merely an illusion.

If these Marxist traitors forced their agenda on the people all at once, there would have been a revolution in its inception.  They alternate: destroy the society and the culture to the max under a Democrat administration, and then “scale back” a bit under a Republican administration while still nipping away at the edges with an “Act” here, or a “piece of legislation” there.

The proof to this pudding is that Trump will not completely clean house and redo the existing political, economic, and social order when he takes office.  Already he has reneged on campaign pledges to repeal Obamacare and build a complete physical barrier between Mexico and the U.S.  He is not going to deport the illegal aliens.  He is going to emplace several people in his cabinet who are known to be either in the pockets of the corporations (such as Mnuchin), or have stances that diametrically oppose his own campaign pledges (such as his selection for White House Chief of Staff who supports amnesty for illegal aliens).

It may take them a little longer, but Trump will not be able to undo the current course toward the collapse of the United States and the relinquishing of national sovereignty in favor of global governance.  He may be (wittingly or unwittingly) helping it along.  I believe the former will be the case.  Remember Bush Jr.’s departure from the White House?  He gave Obama a manila file folder, marked “From 43 to 44,” in reference to their sequential order as presidents.  Wonder what was in it, don’t you?

Wonder what Obama will be handing “Number 45” before (and if) he departs?  There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that there is an agenda that Trump will follow that is larger than his own.  The global manipulators behind the scenes have handed the American people their “champion” and a slight reprieve to avoid a revolution that would have been far from bloodless.  We’re still in a mess overall, and Trump will either knuckle under to their demands in the manner of the aforementioned pattern of their choosing, or they’ll remove him from office.  Meanwhile it is important not to lose focus, to stay aware, and continue to prepare for the eventual collapse, regardless of what the majority does or doesn’t do in denial of the true situation.

Damaging The Deep State: Trump, Russia, And China

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 06:30 PM PST

Submitted by Alasdair Macleod via GoldMoney.com,

Even before he takes office, President-elect Trump is turning the world upside down.

It has become clear his attitude towards Russia and China is very different from that of his predecessors. Amazingly, he is already wresting power from the deep state, causing it great resentment, which under Obama, Clinton and the Bushes, ran geopolitical policy. From January, barring accidents the world will not be the same, the establishment up-ended.

This short article builds on information available to date and speculates how America’s relations with Russia and China are likely to evolve, and the implications for NATO and Europe. It attempts to cut through the disinformation and noise (from all sides) to assess how Trump will change super-power relations.

Russia

President-elect Trump has signalled his respect for President Putin as a leader, and Putin, who has been careful to not comment on the US presidential election, has indicated his respect for Trump. Furthermore, Trump, who admittedly said lots of contradictory statements to get elected, clearly wishes to reduce America’s funding commitment to NATO and to reduce American involvement in the Middle East. These objectives will obviously find favour with Putin, and could form the basis of a relationship reset between Russia and the West.

The American deep state was responsible for moving missiles within range of Moscow, under cover of targeting Tehran, in this year’s escalation of a new cold war. It follows the covert destabilisation by the US of Ukraine over the last decade and American backing for various terrorist groups in Syria, following Syria’s refusal to permit pipelines from the Gulf to cross her territory five years ago. Since the fall of the USSR, NATO has moved its eastern border to within 300 miles of Moscow. Elements in the CIA, working to their own agenda, are still trying to demonise Russia without any evidence, as the Washington Post story about Russian intervention in the election demonstrates.

The Trump team dismissed this attempt to blacken the Russians as disinformation, from the same sources that came up with the fiction of Saddam Hussain’s weapons of mass destruction. The timing of accusations over Russian involvement probably has much to do with influencing the electoral college’s votes, a last stand against Trump’s election, in which case the intervention is politically outrageous. But this is a side-show, and doubtless Trump will deal appropriately with those involved when he is in office.

Rather like super-tankers that need seven miles to stop, regional powers are also finding it hard to adjust to these new realities, but adjust they surely will. European governments and NATO members will have had background briefings, but the normal channels for this, the CIA, the US Military advisers and American diplomats are not on Trump’s page, so confusion still reigns. But one thing is becoming clear: Trump will not be diverted from a general policy of détente and de-escalation of military presence in both Europe and the Middle East.

The process of détente is reasonably predictable. A summit with Russia to agree strategic arms limitations (called SALT3 perhaps?) is a proven path to follow. It should be a step-by-step process scheduled over five or ten years, with pre-agreed conditions designed to satisfy concerns in the Baltic States and Poland that Russia might attempt border-creep. For their part the Russians must agree Ukraine’s independence (excepting the Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk, which should be formally ceded to Russia). Ukraine and Belorussia will be independent buffer states between Russia and the European Union. Under a SALT3 both NATO and Russia will agree to a phased withdraw of all military hardware other than limited ground troops and their associated equipment.

In the Middle East, America will concede that Syria remains in the Russian sphere of influence, and will withdraw all support for rebel organisations. This is no more than reality. China, doubtless, will help in the physical reconstruction of Syria in due course. Agreement will be sought as to the means of destroying Daesh. Beyond that, a reduced American presence in the region will continue to ensure security for Israel and the Gulf states. Already, the British have announced they will step up their presence in the region, which should also contribute to regional stability.

Iran should be persuaded by Russia to take a more constructive approach to peace with Sunni states, such as Saudi Arabia, and towards Israel. This could be difficult, but should be possible, given Iran has become considerably more moderate since the days of Ahmadinejad, particularly if the right tone from America is forthcoming. Iran’s days of hiding from western sanctions behind Russia will be over, and should be replaced with an emphasis on trade. And Saudi Arabia can no longer afford to wage wars, such as that in the Yemen, contributing to a less belligerent outcome.

All this is practical, possible and predictable. Behind the change in geopolitical reality for the Middle East is the fact that Peak Oil is being pushed further into the future. Not only are large new oil fields still being discovered (such as the Kashagan Field in the north of the Caspian Sea), but modern technology is bringing other forms of ecologically-friendly energy supplies on stream and higher prices will unlock shale oil supplies. The strategic importance of the Middle East has therefore declined, particularly since insignificant quantities of oil from the region go to America. And with that decline goes less need for geostrategic intervention by the US.

For the first time since the Six Day War in 1967 there is a realistic possibility of stability in the area, assuming the super-powers take a constructive approach to détente, and are willing to jointly police the region.

Regional implications of détente with Russia

The benefits of regional peace to the Middle East will, hopefully, materialise. Turkey is important, and will need to be considered as well. The coup attempt earlier this year, which was likely supported if not actually instigated by the US, has resulted in Erdogan tightening his grip on all opposition to his rule. However, Erdogan may have become Russia’s puppet, because the Russians appear to have tipped him off ahead of the coup and ensured its failure. If this is indeed the case, not only does he owe his power to Russia, but Russia can take it away. Under Russian influence, we can expect Turkey to continue to lean away from her impractical and unrealistic hopes of joining the EU, and instead pursue her more recent ambitions for membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. That would offer Turkey the best long-term future.

With Turkey’s future direction appearing to be decided, far more important is the effect of a reset with Russia on Europe and the European Union. As NATO members, European nations have gone along with Russian sanctions, which have been detrimental particularly to Germany’s economy. Their removal will give Germany a new long-term trade market of considerable potential, reducing her dependence on trade with other EU states, particularly France, Spain and Italy. The possibility of a new Hanseatic League, about which I wrote last March, is now on the cardsi. I was very surprised that it hadn’t been considered by the British Government and discussed with the Germans as a Plan B in the event of a vote for Brexit. However, the prospect of détente with Russia leads to a new Hanseatic League now becoming a realistic possibility.

Briefly, the trade route to Russia, both by sea through the Baltic and overland by rail and road, offers enormous trading potential for Germany, Britain, Holland, and Scandinavia. To this we can add Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, and to a lesser extent, Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia. Furthermore, a northern trade route will link into China’s One Belt One Road project, further enhancing its importance. In short, the long-term future of France, Spain, Italy and Greece will be challenged by the rehabilitation of Russian trade, and potentially become one of relative isolation. An overriding reason why Russia will become so important is because of her partnership with China in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Russia is, with sub-Saharan Africa, the source of natural resources for China’s planned industrialisation of all Asia. And as a resource-rich country, Russia will benefit from the continuing rise in raw material and energy prices. Détente with America and NATO will improve her economic outlook considerably, but she needs European commercial technologies and manufacturing techniques to help rebuild her own middle class’s wealth.

The underlying reasons a SALT3 will work for Russia are all there, and Trump is likely to take the view that Western Europe should not be his responsibility. There is little US trade with Russia, so trade negotiations for America are not in this mix, simplifying matters considerably. The trade bun-fight will be mainly confined to negotiations with China.

We can be sure that there will be a summit between President Xi and President Trump early next year, because Henry Kissinger, who is trusted by the Chinese, and despite his great age has been sent by Trump to arrange it. Reports in the press that Kissinger’s visit last week was just to calm things down after Trump’s telephone call with the Taiwanese leader are wide of the mark. Trump is simply establishing his negotiating position from the outset.

Trump is of the opinion that businessmen, not diplomats, should control trade negotiations. While diplomats might view this approach as naïve, the fact is Trump will be setting the agenda. Consequently, he is likely to be dismissive of past agreements, and impatient with the snail’s pace common in diplomatic trade negotiations. He will most likely wish to handle trade negotiations with China himself.

In order that trade negotiations progress without misunderstandings he has nominated Iowa Governor Terry Branstad for the post of Ambassador to China. Branstad has known President Xi through previous visits, and should be an effective communications channel. That’s the soft part of the deal. The hard part is Trump’s rhetoric, and his willingness to talk to Taiwan, which has established his opening gambit. His objective will be to get China to stop manufacturing copies of American goods, hacking into commercial websites to steal trade and technological secrets, and abusing intellectual property. It is likely China will agree to tighten up on this behaviour, in which case a new trade agreement can be reached.

While diplomats might find Trump’s style damaging to their careful construction of trade relations over time, there is little doubt his approach has merit. Success with China, even if it is limited in scope, is likely to be the outcome. It could alter not only the way trade agreements with China are set in the future, but could override the whole WTO process for other international trade relationships as well. And here again, we see the EU with its antiquated and obstructive approach to trade being most challenged.

At the end of the day, Trump’s language is one the Chinese will understand, and in return for backing off over Taiwan, they are likely to concede America’s beef over intellectual property abuses, hacking and commercial espionage. China’s focus is moving away from that sort of business anyway, towards higher-level services and improved infrastructure for its rapidly-growing middle classes, and she plans to spread the benefits of her industrialisation throughout Asia.

Furthermore, there are likely to be echoes from Trump’s big-bang on trade. Removing diplomats from the act of setting the trade agenda, disconnects trade from geopolitical considerations generally, allowing Japan, for instance, to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. It is even conceivable that the US itself might apply to join it at a future date, in which case, you heard it here first.

Trump’s trade negotiations with China, if successful, could have far-reaching effects. They could, of course, go badly wrong, but the Chinese are realists and will almost certainly adapt to the new reality. It is in their interests to strike a deal with Trump, swiftly giving him concessions that established diplomatic practice would be unlikely to yield.

Political and economic consequences for America

In the first half of 2017, Trump is likely to achieve both détente with Russia and a new, better trade deal with China. If so, his pre-election stance, that the American establishment was failing the people, will have been amply proven. Trump will likely be riding high in the opinion polls.

However, you cannot demolish the status quo without consequences. While much good will be achieved if Trump’s approach to Russia and China succeeds, the EU will be undermined both politically and financially. The European Union is already threatening to break up following Brexit, and Trump’s détente with Russia could give Germany a realistic opportunity to cast off from the European Project. The financial cost of a European break-up will be a difficult pill for Germany to swallow, and renewed trade links with Britain and Russia is her best shot at recovery. The future for the euro, whatever happens, is being challenged, more so if Germany decides to replace it with a new Deutschemark. If Germany replaces the euro, the Eurozone’s banking system and currency will be increasingly vulnerable to collapse. And if the Eurozone has a banking crisis, it will inevitably infect the global banking system, undermining America’s banks as well.

If we make the optimistic assumption that somehow the Eurozone and its currency manage to stagger on, there is a further problem for America. Industrial raw material prices have been rising strongly throughout 2016, measured in dollars, despite the dollar’s strength against other currencies. Trump’s stated ambition, to cause US infrastructure investment to rise significantly, coincides with China’s thirteenth five-year plan for building new Silk Roads and associated projects. Consequently, both America and China will be aggressively bidding against each other for raw materials in 2017.

Price rises in raw materials and energy will become a major factor driving the rate of price inflation sharply higher on America’s Main Street. Yet the ability of the Fed to raise interest rates in their traditional attempts to limit price inflation will be checked by the height of the nominal rate that will trigger widespread debt liquidation. Debt, as the cliché goes, is the gorilla in the room.

Trump’s basic problem is that he understands business, but not necessarily economics. He obviously thinks that trade deficits arise from unfair trade practices. It’s a common mistake, but they don’t. They arise from unfunded government spending and the expansion of bank credit. His fundamental belief, that fair terms of trade will make America great again is therefore badly flawed.

It is also difficult to see where he stands on monetary policy, if at all. In business, he has personally benefited from the expansion of bank credit, but does he understand the eventual price consequences of unlimited expansion of bank credit? Very few businessmen do, in which case we can only hope he will be well advised.

Past US presidents, from Herbert Hoover onwards, have been generally poorly advised on basic economic theory, thinking the state is well equipped to fix things that go wrong. The evidence for this error is found in the unremitting accumulation of public sector debt since the Wall Street Crash in 1929, confirmed when Roosevelt devalued the dollar against gold in 1934, and reconfirmed when Nixon temporarily abandoned all gold convertibility in 1971. That Trump might be better advised must remain a pipe-dream, unless contradicted by events.

Therefore, my broad expectations for 2017, the first year of the Trump presidency, is success in foreign and trade policy will be offset by rising price inflation and falling asset prices as interest rates rise (see my article dated 1st December, Credit cycles and gold), terminating in a credit-crunch from higher nominal interest rates. Good on the geopolitics, bad on the economy.

 

The White Horse Prophecy

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 06:00 PM PST

 The White Horse ProphecyNovember 7, 2016by Lisa Rising Berry The Financial Armageddon Economic Collapse Blog tracks trends and forecasts , futurists , visionaries , free investigative journalists , researchers , Whistelblowers , truthers and many more

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Anonymous #OpRevolution "Trump" Engaged

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 05:00 PM PST

 American revolution will start when...it will catch you by surprise, and you mightn't even know the moment its...game on The Financial Armageddon Economic Collapse Blog tracks trends and forecasts , futurists , visionaries , free investigative journalists , researchers , Whistelblowers ,...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit http://financearmageddon.blogspot.com http://bobchapman.blogspot.com for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Federal Reserve And Stronger Real Rates Cause Breakdown in Gold

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 04:30 PM PST

Gold and gold mining stocks were setting up for a rebound until the market suddenly priced in tighter policy from the Federal Reserve. Both nominal and real yields surged and that pushed an already oversold sector below key support. Gold lost support in the mid $1100s while gold stocks (GDX) lost a critical support level. While the sector is oversold and likely to rebound as 2017 begins, the primary trend remains lower.

Is Area 51 Hiding Alien Remains?

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 04:00 PM PST

 What is area 51 REALLY hiding. Could it be the remains of aliens? The Financial Armageddon Economic Collapse Blog tracks trends and forecasts , futurists , visionaries , free investigative journalists , researchers , Whistelblowers , truthers and many more

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit http://financearmageddon.blogspot.com http://bobchapman.blogspot.com for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Why Liberals Reject Freedom

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 03:30 PM PST

Why do liberals reject the freedom of the free market for the cold embrace of large government? Stefan Molyneux looks at the incentives and mindset which can lead to people making a dangerous deal with a totalitarian devil.  The Financial Armageddon Economic Collapse Blog tracks...

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ANONYMOUS - New World Order WARNING - MARTIAL LAW & FEMA CAMPS "EXPOSED"

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 03:00 PM PST

Anonymous Updates presents to you 'a warning on the new world order aka the NWO, the FEMA camps and finally the martial law.' You will be shocked by the evidence. The Financial Armageddon Economic Collapse Blog tracks trends and forecasts , futurists , visionaries , free investigative...

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NSA Whistleblower Destroys Obama’s Russia Narrative: “Hard Evidence of An Inside Leak, Not Hacking”

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 02:30 PM PST

 NSA Whistleblower Destroys Obama's Russia Narrative: "Hard Evidence Points To An Inside Leak, Not Hacking" The Financial Armageddon Economic Collapse Blog tracks trends and forecasts , futurists , visionaries , free investigative journalists , researchers , Whistelblowers , truthers and...

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Precious Metals New Bull Market or Bear Market Rally?

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 02:29 PM PST

Buckle Up ,Pour yourself your favorite beverage, and take some time. This Report will be an in depth Chartology analysis of the current situation in this ever interesting and often exasperating market we are participating in. Oh and don't forget to open your mind. Lets begin. I would like to start the Weekend Report by looking at a combo chart which has the US dollar on top and gold on the bottom, which shows you a better version of the positive divergence the US dollar had vs gold in 2011.

End Times Headline News - December 18th, 2016

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 02:00 PM PST

 Breaking news as intelligence officers have been caught in Allepo running operations. These are U.S., Turkey, Israel, and others that have been now captured. Its getting crazy folks. Time is short. The Financial Armageddon Economic Collapse Blog tracks trends and forecasts ,...

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A Hawkish Fed Smashed Precious Metals

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 01:58 PM PST

Oh no, not again! Oh, yes, once again precious metals along with mining shares got smashed on Wednesday. The latest attack came after the well-choreographed FOMC rate hike announcement. For weeks the mining shares had bucked a deteriorating gold price; silver was holding up defiantly as well. Unfortunately, the "bucking" only exasperated the divergence building between gold and mining share price.

FBI Agents Prepare To Counter CIA Coup Against Trump - Shadow Government.

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 01:30 PM PST

 FBI Agents Prepare To Counter CIA Coup Against Trump, Shadow Government.- FBI agents have had their holiday leave cancelled amid fears of an attempted coup by the CIA to overthrow President-elect Donald Trump. The Financial Armageddon Economic Collapse Blog tracks trends and...

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PROPHECY: "Tens Of Thousands Dead Herring In Canada"

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 01:00 PM PST

Nova Scotia Canada tens of thousands of dead herring fish keep washing up on the beaches  The Financial Armageddon Economic Collapse Blog tracks trends and forecasts , futurists , visionaries , free investigative journalists , researchers , Whistelblowers , truthers and many more

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RED ALERT: Dark Days Ahead - The NEW WORLD ORDER Just Created A National Propaganda Department

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 12:30 PM PST

Really there HAVE been propaganda departments for years. it is surely being ramped up though. CNN ABC NBC CBC CBS and BBC have all been around for ages! The Financial Armageddon Economic Collapse Blog tracks trends and forecasts , futurists , visionaries , free investigative journalists ,...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit http://financearmageddon.blogspot.com http://bobchapman.blogspot.com for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Anonymous - URGENT Message to the Citizens of the World 2017

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 12:00 PM PST

 Anonymous Message to the Citizens of the World Donald TrumpWe are Anonymous.We are Legion.We do not Forgive.We do not Forget.Expect us. The Financial Armageddon Economic Collapse Blog tracks trends and forecasts , futurists , visionaries , free investigative journalists , researchers ,...

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A Message from David Schectman – Founder of Miles Franklin

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 08:53 AM PST

Why did gold and silver tank after the long-anticipated Fed rate hike of ¼%? That is the question that is on the mind of most of our readers. And it is a logical question if you think that the dollar, interest rates or the uncertainty of the Trump election are probably the reasons. Reasons? Yes, in a sense they do affect the price of precious metals, but if you really want to understand what is happening, you have to refocus on the real reasons.

Breaking News And Best Of The Web

Posted: 18 Dec 2016 01:37 AM PST

US stocks, interest rates, dollar end the week at recent and/or record highs. Worries about valuation are spreading. US housing starts plunge as higher mortgage rates begin to bite. Italian banks restructuring and raising capital as government begins bail-out. Gold and silver recover slightly from post-Fed decline. The “fake news”/Russian hacking debate intensifies.   Best […]

The post Breaking News And Best Of The Web appeared first on DollarCollapse.com.

Asias Gold Investing Support, Part 2: India Goes AWOL

Posted: 16 Dec 2016 11:11 AM PST

Bullion Vault

Radical Gold Underinvestment 3

Posted: 16 Dec 2016 10:11 AM PST

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