The Russian drama seems to intensify with each passing hour.

I certainly have my opinion on the matter, as, no doubt, do you. But it’s not my opinion that I want to share with you today. Instead, I want to share two charts that may well shed new light on recent events…

Here’s the first. I warn you, it’s shocking.

As you can see, Russia’s workforce growth rolled over around 2010 and now faces one of the steepest collapses I’ve seen in any country!

Demographically speaking, Russia is up the creek without a paddle. It’s already experiencing tremendous economic pain and faces a worsening situation with each day that passes.

Here’s the second chart, equally shocking…

This is Russia’s spending wave. It looks like a cross section of the Ural Mountains that run through the west of the country. And it’s going to devastate the country’s economy for decades to come… over and over and over again.

In short, the country is in dire shape and it’s led by a megalomaniac who’s desperate to show strength to hide the reality that there is none. It’s like a scrawny, weak, cartoon character who’s wearing an inflatable muscle suit (both Putin and Russia!).

Russian possible interference in our political affairs, and its “silent” invasion of surrounding territories, are desperate attempts to escape its demographic destiny.

There’s also an attempt by the country’s oligarchy to grab has much power and wealth as they can before the wheels come off.

In a July 16 interview on CNN, William Browder, co-founder of a firm that at one time was the largest foreign portfolio investor in Russia, talked about the country’s top-down, mafia-like oligarchy of 10,000 people who have all the money and power. He estimates Putin’s net worth, taking a cut off of this oligarchy, at around $200 billion – twice that of Bill Gates. He makes Chapo, the Mexican drug lord, look like a chump!

Putin is the Godfather of Russia. He benefits from the top-down communist system.

That makes him dangerous!

The country is a ticking time bomb.

The content of our articles is based on what we’ve learned as financial journalists. We do not offer personalized investment advice: you should not base investment decisions solely on what you read here. It’s your money and your responsibility. Our track record is based on hypothetical results and may not reflect the same results as actual trades. Likewise, past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Certain investments such as futures, options, and currency trading carry large potential rewards but also large potential risk. Don’t trade in these markets with money you can’t afford to lose. Delray Publishing LLC expressly forbids its writers from having a financial interest in their own securities or commodities recommendations to readers.

Recommended Content


Recommended Content

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD recovers above 1.0300, markets await comments from Fed officials

EUR/USD recovers above 1.0300, markets await comments from Fed officials

EUR/USD gains traction and trades above 1.0300 on Thursday despite mixed German Industrial Production and Eurozone Retail Sales data. Retreating US bond yields limits the USD's gains and allows the pair to hold its ground as market focus shifts to Fedspeak.

EUR/USD News
GBP/USD rebounds from multi-month lows, trades above 1.2300

GBP/USD rebounds from multi-month lows, trades above 1.2300

GBP/USD erases a portion of its daily gains and trades above 1.2300 after setting a 14-month-low below 1.2250. The pair recovers as the UK gilt yields correct lower after surging to multi-year highs on a two-day gilt selloff. Markets keep a close eye on comments from central bank officials.

GBP/USD News
Gold climbs to new multi-week high above $2,670

Gold climbs to new multi-week high above $2,670

Gold extends its weekly recovery and trades at its highest level since mid-December above $2,670. The benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond yield corrects lower from the multi-month high it touched above 4.7% on Wednesday, helping XAU/USD stretch higher.

Gold News
Bitcoin falls below $94,000 as over $568 million outflows from ETFs

Bitcoin falls below $94,000 as over $568 million outflows from ETFs

Bitcoin continues to edge down, trading below the $94,000 level on Thursday after falling more than 5% this week. Bitcoin US spot Exchange Traded Funds recorded an outflow of over $568 million on Wednesday, showing signs of decreasing demand.

Read more
How to trade NFP, one of the most volatile events

How to trade NFP, one of the most volatile events Premium

NFP is the acronym for Nonfarm Payrolls, arguably the most important economic data release in the world. The indicator, which provides a comprehensive snapshot of the health of the US labor market, is typically published on the first Friday of each month.

Read more
Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads

Best Forex Brokers with Low Spreads

VERIFIED Low spreads are crucial for reducing trading costs. Explore top Forex brokers offering competitive spreads and high leverage. Compare options for EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and Gold.

Read More

Majors

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures