Zeev,
<<However, I would not "overstay" the welcome post the first or second week in January. I see clouds on the horizon, and they are coming from SE Asia, do you see anything like that from where you stand?>>
Sorry for the long delay in answering. I see problematic issues in Asia and have for a very long time, but the single largest issue for Asia that looms is the slowing of the U.S. economy. As you know revenue covers a lot of sins. Looks like the curtains are soon to open on the continued systemic problems in Asia that have never really left us. I think a telling event is Singapore's decision to cut loose from Asean in recent trade negotiations. It was not a surprise. The notion of a unified trading block that includes outlaw governments like Burma, bufoon governments like the Philippines, self indulgent governments like Malaysia, and more advanced countries like Singapore is absurd. The increased chances of a coup in Thailand, the shambles that is Indonesia, the recent loss of a major election by Malaysia's ruling party in the State of Perak to a more fundamentalist Islamic challenger, all scare the hell out of me. But it is the increased jobless claims, and accelerated profit warnings in the U.S. that scares me the most.
Who says Bush won? Retirement and the book deal sounds much better to me. Congrats Al.
Best,
Stitch |
