Pressure on the Federal Reserve: Political Influence and Interest Rates

Tom Bodrovics welcomes back Martin Armstrong who provides a critical geopolitical analysis of current global tensions. The focus begins on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and potential escalation towards World War III. Armstrong argues that the 50-day deadline imposed by Trump is an unrealistic negotiation tactic that fundamentally misunderstands geopolitical dynamics. Armstrong suggests that Ukraine is on the verge of collapse and that NATO’s interventionist strategies are deliberately provocative.

He criticizes neoconservative influences, particularly figures like Lindsey Graham and John McCain, for consistently pushing for military confrontation without understanding the long-term consequences. He highlights how these interventions have historically failed, citing examples from Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The discussion emphasizes the economic implications of ongoing tensions, with Armstrong predicting a steep recession lasting until 2028.

He argues that sanctions against Russia have accelerated the formation of BRICS and are driving countries to seek alternative economic arrangements. The movement of gold and capital away from traditional Western financial centers is seen as a significant indicator of these shifts. Armstrong is particularly critical of European leadership, describing them as the “worst crop of world leaders” in history. He points out the economic challenges facing Germany and the broader European Union, including capital controls and increasing governmental restrictions on financial movements.

Regarding potential conflict, Armstrong warns that Putin is unlikely to capitulate and that the current strategies risk escalating into a broader global confrontation. He suggests that the financial capital of the world will likely move to China after 2032, drawing parallels with the historical decline of Athens due to internal polarization and continuous warfare. The interview concludes with a stark warning about the potential for significant geopolitical and economic disruption, with Armstrong emphasizing that the current trajectory benefits no one and risks triggering a catastrophic global conflict.

Timestamps:
00:00:00 – Introduction
00:00:53 – Trump’s Warning to Putin
00:09:42 – Gold Moving Globally
00:11:49 – Underestimating Russia
00:19:13 – Continuous Conflict?
00:26:17 – Turning Point Projected
00:30:53 – Sanctions & 2026 Economy
00:40:03 – Capital Flows & Seizures
00:42:46 – Genius Act & Stablecoins
00:48:42 – Treasury Bond Values
00:52:05 – Inflation Blame & Shame
00:59:20 – Cost Push Inflation
01:03:30 – Fed Powell Pressure
01:07:57 – Wrap Up

Guest Links:
Website: https://armstrongeconomics.com
X: https://x.com/strongeconomics
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/martin.armstrong.167
Amazon Book: https://tinyurl.com/ybtrslr9

Martin Armstrong is the Owner and Researcher for the website Armstrong Economics. He is the former chairman of Princeton Economics International Ltd. He is best known for his economic predictions based on the Economic Confidence Model, which he developed.

At age 13, Armstrong began working at a coin and stamp dealership in Pennsauken, New Jersey. After buying a bag of rare Canadian pennies, he became a millionaire in 1965 at the age of 15. He continued to work on weekends through high school, finding the real-world exciting, for this was the beginning of the collapse of the gold standard. Martin became captivated by this shocking revelation that there were not just booms and busts, but also peaks and valleys that would last centuries.

In Armstrong’s view of the world where boom-bust cycles occur like clockwork every 8.6 years, what matters is his record as a forecaster. He called Russia’s financial collapse in 1998, using a model that also pointed to a peak just before the Japanese stock market crashed in 1989. These days, as the European sovereign-debt crisis roils markets worldwide, he reminds readers of his October 1997 prediction that the creation of the euro “will merely transform currency speculation into bond speculation,” leading to the system’s eventual collapse.

Armstrong progressed from gold coin investments to following commodity prices for precious metals. In 1973, he began publishing commodity market predictions as a hobby, and in 1983 Armstrong began accepting paid subscriptions for a forecast newsletter.

His Website Armstrong Economics offers a unique perspective intended to educate the public and organizations on the global economic and political environment’s underlying trends. Their mission is to research historical cyclical trends.