Research & News
Bi-Weekly Geopolitical Report – From the Shah to the Strait: The US Gamble to Stabilize the Gulf (March 23, 2026)
by Thomas Wash & Bill O’Grady | PDF It has been nearly 50 years since the 1979 Islamic Revolution toppled the Shah of Iran, replacing the Persian monarchy with a theocracy that sent shockwaves through the West. This upheaval triggered the decade’s second major oil crisis and effectively dismantled Washington’s “Twin Pillars” policy. By losing… Read More »
Daily Comment (March 23, 2026)
by Patrick Fearon-Hernandez, CFA, and Thomas Wash [Posted: 9:30 AM ET] | PDF Our Comment today opens with an update on the Iran war and the US’s apparent retreat from its threat to target Iranian energy infrastructure. We next review several other international and US developments with the potential to affect the financial markets today,… Read More »
Daily Comment (March 20, 2026)
by Patrick Fearon-Hernandez, CFA, and Thomas Wash [Posted: 9:30 AM ET] | PDF Our Comment opens with our views on the latest central bank rate decisions and their implications for the dollar. We then examine why the US and Israel may be seeking a way to transition the conflict into its next phase. In addition,… Read More »
Daily Comment (March 19, 2026)
by Patrick Fearon-Hernandez, CFA, and Thomas Wash [Posted: 9:30 AM ET] | PDF Our Comment begins with our take on the latest Federal Reserve announcement, followed by an update on the conflict in the Middle East. We then turn to key market developments, including the US softening its assessment of China’s ambitions toward Taiwan, the… Read More »
Daily Comment (March 18, 2026)
by Patrick Fearon-Hernandez, CFA, and Thomas Wash [Posted: 9:30 AM ET] | PDF Our Comment opens with our views on the upcoming Fed announcement following its two-day meeting. We then provide an update on the conflict in the Middle East. Next, we highlight key market developments, including a US company’s acquisition of a mining firm… Read More »
Daily Comment (March 17, 2026)
by Patrick Fearon-Hernandez, CFA, and Thomas Wash [Posted: 9:30 AM ET] | PDF Our Comment today opens with an update on the war in Iran. We next review several other international and US developments that could affect the financial markets today, including an interest rate hike by the Australian central bank that could signal similar… Read More »
Daily Comment (March 16, 2026)
by Patrick Fearon-Hernandez, CFA, and Thomas Wash [Posted: 9:30 AM ET] | PDF Our Comment today opens with an update on the US-Israeli war against Iran and President Trump’s call for foreign nations to chip in with naval forces to restart the flow of oil, natural gas, and other commodities through the Strait of Hormuz.… Read More »