Former US Federal Reserve Chief Alan Greenspan has been promoting his book "The Age of Turbulence" for the last couple of weeks. Among other things, he is talking about his reasons for supporting the Iraq invasion and his assessment that the Chinese stock market is a bubble waiting to burst. On the question of his support for Iraq invasion, he explains that he was convinced Saddam Husain would block the Strait of Hormuz if not removed from power and that would have severe consequences for the world economy. I think he's just flat wrong on this reasoning. Other than the US or Europeans, the only power that had the capacity to close the Strait is Iran. The removal of Saddam has, in fact, strengthened Iran significantly and made it more likely that the Strait would be closed and oil supplies choked off in the event of war in the Persian Gulf involving Iran.
On the question of Shanghai stock bubble, he is more qualified than most but I still think he is wrong. The Chinese economy is very strong and growing rapidly. China is the factory of the world and it is developing a very large consumer class of its own with a pent-up demand not too different from the US consumer demand right after WW II. So the Chinese markets are backed up a strong economy to justify high valuation of its stock.

Views: 146

Comment by Riaz Haq on March 3, 2012 at 9:43am

Here are "Ten Things for India to Achieve its 2050 Potential", brought out by Jim O'Neill, Head Global Research at Goldman Sachs, and Tushar Poddar, V-P Research, Asia Economic Research Team at Goldman Sachs India, as reported by India's Economic Times:

1. Improve governance

2. Raise educational achievement

3. Increase quality & quantity of universities

4. Control inflation

5. Introduce credible fiscal policy

6. Liberalize financial markets

7. Increase trade with neighbors

8. Increase agricultural productivity

9. Improve infrastructure

10. Improve environmental quality

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/quickiearticleshow/3137357.cms

Comment

You need to be a member of PakAlumni Worldwide: The Global Social Network to add comments!

Join PakAlumni Worldwide: The Global Social Network

Pre-Paid Legal


Twitter Feed

    follow me on Twitter

    Sponsored Links

    South Asia Investor Review
    Investor Information Blog

    Haq's Musings
    Riaz Haq's Current Affairs Blog

    Please Bookmark This Page!




    Blog Posts

    How Significant is Pakistan's Fa'az Air-to-Air Missile Flight Test?

    Pakistan's recent successful flight test of Fa'az, its indigenous air-to-air missile, has garnered significant international attention. What is its significance?  First, it is a major breakthrough for its national defense industry, elevating Pakistan into an elite, relatively small group of nations possessing the complex engineering expertise required to build weapons capable of hunting fighter jets. Second, it enhances the country's self-reliance and makes it less vulnerable…

    Continue

    Posted by Riaz Haq on November 6, 2026 at 10:30am — 5 Comments

    Kashmir: Farooq Abdullah Lauds Pakistan's Diplomatic Support

    Speaking at an event in the Indian Occupied Kashmir, veteran Kashmiri leader Farooq Abdullah has lauded Pakistan's support for Kashmiris' rights. “They (Indian leaders in Delhi) are silent today because there is noise in the world, and our neighbor (Pakistan) is constantly behind this. Everywhere they say, ‘the decision regarding Kashmir has not been made’. That is what is saving us. Otherwise, their intentions are not good", he said.  He warned that Kashmiris risked losing their…

    Continue

    Posted by Riaz Haq on October 29, 2026 at 6:00pm — 1 Comment

    © 2026   Created by Riaz Haq.   Powered by

    Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service