Ireland:Tiger Tamed, But No Longer a PIIGS

20 November 2017 I returned recently from Kilkenny, Ireland where I attended Kilkenomics – an engaging mix of global finance and comedy sponsored by the FT and hosted by the irrepressible David MacWilliams. I often found myself thinking only the Irish could pull off this unlikely mix, but then I look at Twitter, and am [...]

EU Immigration

IGC_EU Migration Former UK Prime Minister's cogent advice will not have much political impact it desrves, as it comes far too late.  Nevertheless, this valuable report from the Institute for  Global Change  provides lots of welcome facts on this important subject.  This is especially important during an era of "alterjnative facts"!

European Politics: Berlin, Florence & Brexit

26 September 2017 Despite Europe’s recent economic upswing, Germany’s election result provides a stark reminder of the region’s political discontent in the aftermath of the Euro crisis, protracted unemployment, and increasing income inequality.   Following the disappointing elections, can Chancellor Merkel and French President Macron produce the domestic and EU reforms needed to produce European prosperity? [...]

UK: Brexit — The Clock is Ticking, Loudly

22 June 2017 The Conservative Party’s failure to gain a majority of Parliamentary seats in the June 8 snap election has shifted the landscape on key policy issues.  In particular, Prime Minister Teresa May had asked the British electorate for a mandate to adopt an aggressive stance in upcoming Brexit negotiations, including walking away if [...]