Previously I have posted here that 2017-18 are the main transition years. So, some news which made headlines are very important for future(as some events are who didn't made to any headline). We have seen trailer of next two decades in Kurdistan, Catalonia and recently in Iran. There won't be any world war this year though tensions and conflicts between nations will rise up. There won't be economic crash although economy will take many hits through out the year. 2019-20 are the final years of old world order. Everyone should get ready for them.
----------International Scene-------
This is the year of Russian election. Russia will be busy to protect Putin from western mechanisms. So, during the first half of the year they will remain mostly quiet. They will again become active in international arena at the end of the year.
China and Russia have a silent understanding between them. Otherwise Russia would not have entered Syria. As both countries relationship begins to turns cold with USA it will take a shape of an alliance in coming years.
In Middle East Jerusalem will continue to be a controversial issue. Israel won't agree to any type of compromise rather they will tighten their grip on Jerusalem. It will make them more isolated in international arena. US will continue to support Israel. Palestinian authorities may go to international court. In Middle East public opinion will turn increasingly against Israel as more casualities happens in protest against Israeli govt. Even in friendly countries like Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia etc. Relation between Qatar and Saudi & UAE will detoriate more.
Whether Trump gets a second term or not, in 2020-24(before political reset happens) I see Europe and Middle East getting divided into Anti-USA and Pro-USA camp. It is the result of constant waning global influence of USA.
China-India relation will remain mostly cool this year, however a border incident may rise up between two countries. In both countries leadership there will be lots of confusion regarding each other. In coming years however their relationship will continue to detoriate rapidly.
Another important area is AF-PAK area. In Afghanistan Jihadi influence will continue to rise. Although media won't probably give any importance to this. In coming years due to close proximity to Afghanistan, central Asia will flare up.
Military conflicts and Terrorism
I do not see any devastating war happening this year but tensions in global hotspots such as Israel, North Korea, Kashmir will continue to rise up. National conflicts too will increase this year. All in all tension rises. But escalation happens in 2019.
President Trump will take tough stand regarding North Korea after middle of the year, I won't be surprised if I see seventh fleet becoming active after July/August. This will cool down America's relationship with China.
I do not have the capability to see the terrorist attacks happening. But, I feel both UK and France will continue to be the terror hotspots in Europe(except Germany)for long time to come. Other than that Australia will begin to see lone-wolf type of attack. It is the begining of this type of security and law & order problem that country will have deal with in future.
Terrorist attacks will also increase in Israel and India including one major attack in Israel. Jewish synagogues in Europe may come under attack from terrorists. The leadership won't tolarate this and will take tough stand against terrorists. After march terrorist attacks will continue to rise in Kashmir and the state will continue to boil for next few months, India-Pak relationship will take downward turn because of this. But despite bloodshade India will be able to kill a lot of terrorists and rein in cross-border terrorism somewhat.
------------------Politics------------------
Any attempt to impeach President Donald Trump will fail. He will continue to face resistence from a section of his own party and deep state. Deep state do not want any outsider, a wild card on top of that in president seat. Due to the fear of assasination trump will withdraw from public appearences from the end of this year. The term is agrophobic I believe.
To save his own skin trump would try to please elites, I predict he would be in elites pocket by the end of this year. He won't care about the effects his decision will have on the world. World will see the repercussions of this development in next year.
President Putin will win this time too, despite many western attempt.
Chancellor Angela Markel won't serve full term this time. She would be out of office by 2019 at earliest.
Egypt will see a new president this year.
PM Modi will continue to be a popular and strong leader. His party will be continue to win elections although they will begin to suffer setbacks. Also, there will be increasing inner fighting within his party. Womens will get higher post in his party and goverment.
---------------Economy-----------------
American economy will stay strong most of the year due tax bill. But, eventually only large corporations would benefit from this tax cut. It will boost economy and employment for a short time but will ultimately fail to reach its objective. In longer term it will increase economic inequality and market bubble. I see from late 2019 people will begin to feel negetive consequences of this bill.
China will continue to have internal economic issues with their rising debt level, but outwardly china will look strong signing more tread treaties(also a cushion to survive upcoming economic and financial collapse and spreading their geopolitical clout in asia in exchange for)and taking up leadership in various international forums. This year is their last chance to handle this problem correctly. Because when geopolitical tensions begins to escalate from next year there won't be any room to maneuver. Their vulnerability to debt may come to light in second-half of the year.
Indian economy will take a sharp turn upwards this year and will see rise of GDP returning to above 7% by second quarter of financial year. They will end the year more stronger. Real estate markets in new developing cities will begin to thrive. But in big cities market will collapse.
European economy will continue to stagnate. Italy and Greece both will continue to be sore spots. Both of them will become major economic headache for EU in next year if they don't leave this year.
It ultimately depends on Greek leadership whether they will leave EU or not. They know leaving EU will earn them nothing but enimity from other members of block. Plus greek politicians are kind of afraid of the repercussion it can bring from globalist mafia for them personally. So, they didn't leave until now. If they finally decide to take the plunge then know that it came after assurences from Russian leadership and it's likely to happen at the end of the year. Even if they didn't leave this year, I see them being the first one to leave post-2020(if they don't leave this year)after economic chaos hits EU in 2019-20 and authorities face population unrest.
Bitcoin will suffer a crash this year but will recover well by the end of the year. But rising incidents of cyber-crime will make people worry. Other than that new crypto-currencies will continue to emerge as digital cash becomes more popular.
Pay attention to the market trends during the middle of the year and last two months of the year. Watch out precious metal prices then and when markets peaks. Also, watch China's movements then. Whether it reduces it's dollar buying or not. These are pre cusors of coming financial crash in 2020 and global trade war in next decade.
-----Miscellonious incidents------
There will be a incident of leakage of a nuclear reactor(seemed a western country is the location from dream)
A Plane may vanish from pacific ocean this time.
More secrets about illegal offshore accounts like panama papers and paradise papers will be revealed.
@asian, you state "Watch out precious metal prices then and when markets peak" Please clarify - do you see precious metal prices rising or falling then?
The value of precious metals has traditionally been a barometer for economic stability and uncertainty. In the fall of 2008, for instance, the price of silver went from about $10/oz to almost $50/oz. It is now about $17.50/oz. Economic upheaval could cause the value to shoot up again.
As Paul stated precious metal prices rises during market upheavel, so watch them. Between July-Sept and last two months of current years are the time to watch.
This year American elites will be busy converting their money to resources and storing money to offshore accounts. So, metal price will be manipulated for now. But, defenitely temporary jump in metal prices if market stumbles for few days(they will call it a market correction). Gold and Silver prices will peak(without being manipulated) after financial market upheavel in 2020 when elites decide to junk the market.
Paul and Asian, please make a major announcement when the value of precious metals starts to rise and warn us again and again and again! If something like that does begin to occur, what do you do with money you have in a 401K? Take a penalty and put it in a safety-deposit box or pay off all your debt and house? Last January I actually threw tarot cards on how to invest funds in one 401K and placed a big chunk of change in the only account that indicated it would pay off in the long-run ... for my child. I guessed I was either going to die early or it would take a long time to amount to anything. I know. This sounds like a really, really stupid way to invest. I would really like to know what people are planning to do about their 401Ks, though.
Gracesinger (and anyone with financial questions in general), I would talk to a financial planner, like a CFP, that can give you objective advice about your specific situation. (Not all financial planners do, many are just out to sell specific products that give them high commissions and the heck with you.) My local bank, for instance, has one on staff and your local bank might be a good place to start. Many times you can pay for an hour of their time to go over your situation. I think that the one at the local bank will discuss things for free with current customers. What you are not looking for is someone who insists you need to put all of your money in XYZ Corporation but someone who gives you a strategy or outline going forward. ("Pay off this debt first, delay buying a new car for two years, put an extra $100 towards your mortgage, start a 529, etc.")
It's always a good idea to pay off debt. As financial columnist Michele Singletary has said, "Debt is bondage." (That line has stuck with me for years.)
There is nothing magical about precious metals but they do serve as a barometer. In 2008 people panicked and rushed to buy something tangible, bidding up the price. As cooler heads prevailed, the price of precious metals "regressed to the mean" or fell back to a normal level.
Also, if the stock market does go to heck in a handbasket and the DJIA falls through the floor that way it did in late 2008 - it's a buying opportunity. Fortunes were made in late '08 and early '09 by people who scooped up securities at fire sale prices.
Good luck!
Well, I can't help it; I was born under a Taurus sun, Scorpio moon, and Pieces ascendant, and my angel cards have guided me better than the financial planners guide me relative to managing assets in my 401Ks, because they think I'm way too conservative. So, I'm moving stocks to bonds. I don't care if stocks fly upward, I'll sleep better knowing I created a firewall of sorts against losing everything.
Gracesinger, it seems your intuition is spot on at the moment. This article talks about today’s drop in stocks and the fact the bond market is selling off, providing higher yields. interesting article :
http://money.cnn.com/2018/01/30/investing/stock-market-today/index.html