Europe - or whatever we wish to call this warm realm of rights and freedoms, of economic and social welfare -is broken inside and threatened from outside. It neither knows how to, nor can, nor wants to and perhaps should not even try to defend itself. We are living in the absurd paradox of feeling sorry for the barbarians, even cheering them on, and at the same time pretending that our comfortable way of life will go on intact...

The dollar, like all fiat currencies through the ages, is on its way to meeting its doom: the moment when no one will want to spend even a flyspeck of gold on purchasing a dollar

When might this happen? The world economy is going from bad to worse by the day. The Chinese may opt for this measure out of sheer desperation, and it may be a reality soon. I have the sensation that things are falling apart around the world at an increasing rate of speed. Perhaps China will move this Fall?

Interest rates will have to rise, sooner or later; central bankers tremble when they see the slightest sign that interest rates are ticking up; they are trapped and wait in dread for the deluge of bond liquidation

Three years ago, I sent this letter to Alexis Tsipras, now prime minister of Greece. We think our advice is still valid, in view of the current economic situation in that country.