Middle East Peace: Fantasy or Possibility? Part 2
In this Part 2 of this series, we examine the period leading up to the founding of the State of Israel.
June 7, 2026
David Kotok offers insights and analysis on current economic and political issues and their potential impact on global financial markets. David’s articles and financial market commentaries have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, and other publications. He is a frequent contributor to Bloomberg TV, and Bloomberg Radio, Fox Business, and other media.
In this Part 2 of this series, we examine the period leading up to the founding of the State of Israel.
If President Donald Trump can bring about a durable peace in the Middle East, he will have accomplished a remarkable feat (miracle?). IMO, it will take rendering Iran’s IRGC impotent to achieve that outcome.
Verified news reports about Russian satellite maneuvers trigger this question.
We look “under the hood” at the recent Producer Price Index report (BLS release, May 13) and don’t like what we see.
Peter Boockvar’s tells the global story of government bond yields and prices.
Our local university, serving more than 14,000 students, is again under attack in Sarasota.
We have witnessed repeated reports of unusual transactions right before public announcements. This is NOT corporate insider trading. Is it government insider trading?
We consider (1) what the US hantavirus outbreak response tells us about US readiness, (2) the consequential matter of public health messaging, and (3) the economic impacts of discouraging the treatment of depression and anxiety with SSRIs.
As this morning’s headlines suggest progress toward ending the Iran War, I reflect on the markets, a measure of hope, and the enduring problem of the IRGC.
We compare the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz with selected blockades from WWI to the present and identify some limits of using economic isolation in a war ceasefire scenario.
Rapidly developing war-related negative sentiment sinks global stock markets. Then, a reversal and a powerful rally occur. The S&P makes a new high in record time. How to see this volatility? What I do with stock vol.
Only a political ignoramus can ignore the burning up of the planet.