Venezuela, Cuba, Trump Corollary (The New Monroe Doctrine?)
Three recommended reports on the Venezuelan tanker provided perspective that included generally overlooked details worth knowing about, IMO.
December 16, 2025
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.
Three recommended reports on the Venezuelan tanker provided perspective that included generally overlooked details worth knowing about, IMO.
I discuss RFK Jr.-aligned state health policy and its ramifications in Florida, the state where I live.
With Kathleen Hays on Central Bank Central yesterday, I discussed the expected rate cut, a divided Fed’s choices, inflation’s likely trending higher, policy shocks, Trump-o-nomics, the labor force, the bond market, the Fed’s critical job of maintaining financial stability, and the dollar. Join us!
In Part 1 of this series, we consider the public health and economic implications of vaccine policy and falling vaccination rates.
Ed D’Agostino’s interview with Michael Howell, former director of research at Salomon Brothers, on global liquidity and asset markets is a must for any thoughtful investor. It’s an incisive discussion featuring great charts.
Ukrainian soldiers are a citizen army trying to defend themselves and their families against tyranny and murder from Putin’s Russian thugs. We profile an effort to help, featured at Camp Kotok 2025.
Incoming data shows the damage to the US economy from ICE and Border Patrol activities. Recent activity in Charlotte, NC, provides a case study.
As a starting point for discussion, I outline a proposal to fund the replacement and expansion of the US electrical grid without the federal government’s adding to the debt.
We tackle the sobering subject of Florida’s economy before turning to lighter fare — a review of Sarasota’s Don Luigi Restaurant for locals and visitors and a fishing report.
Long-time friends with decades of economic skills sent an additional observation about Tuesday’s commentary, and TLRWire has a follow-up discussion of the UMich Survey.
TLR on the Economy helps us to answer a question about the well-known data series from the University of Michigan.
I offer thoughts after seeing this documentary film with a gathering of about 100 people. Readers may freely share this commentary with others.