Leading Thoughts: Geopolitics, Economics & Markets

A decade from now, what will you wish you had known today?

By Christopher Smart

The Hardest Part About Investing in AI

The potential stock ‘bubble’ may be the least of investors' problems.
Jun 22•Christopher Smart

A First Look at America After Trump

Fed independence looks resilient for now, but the president’s economic policy departures will last well beyond his term. Jun 15•Christopher Smart

Ask Good Questions, Listen to the Answers

As another graduation season closes without an invitation to share my wisdom with the next generation, here’s what I would have said. Jun 8•Christopher Smart

Most Popular

Should You Invest in Marco Rubio's Transatlantic Vision?

Feb 16•Christopher Smart

What You Don't Understand About Trump's Trade Victories

Aug 4, 2025•Christopher Smart

Seven Scenarios for the Iran War

Apr 6•Christopher Smart

They're Really Mad at Us

May 7, 2025•Christopher Smart

First They Came for the Tech Billionaires, and I Didn't Speak Up Because I Was Not a Tech Billionaire

Sep 22, 2025•Christopher Smart

Imagining The Next Financial Crisis

Feb 4•Christopher Smart

LatestTopDiscussions

The Logic (and Limits) to the Madness of Crowds

Investors seem oblivious to mounting geopolitical risks, but they won’t ignore uncontrolled spending forever. Jun 1•Christopher Smart

All Geopolitics Are Local (UK Edition)

There’ll always be an England, but it’s growing less and less important on its current trajectory. May 25•Christopher Smart

Summit Sentiment vs Structural Strain

Investors have 129 days to judge if Xi and Trump accomplished anything lasting to stabilize the world’s largest economic relationship. May 18•Christopher Smart

Not Everyone Loves a Parade!

This weekend’s festivities in Moscow underscore how the Iran War has made things worse for Russia rather than better. May 11•Christopher Smart

"Not Minding That It Hurts"

Hasn’t the Iranian regime already shown it can withstand more pain? May 4•Christopher Smart

On Iran, Are You "Team Carrot" or "Team Stick"?

Investors won’t see a return of Gulf energy supplies until President Trump realizes the limits of his military options. Apr 27•Christopher Smart

Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick

Global investors seem to believe that peace is at hand, but Iranian officials sense that time is not on Washington’s side and they can hold out for a… Apr 20•Christopher Smart

Is Anyone Thinking About Klingons?

So far, space exploration is doing a terrible job of advancing world peace. Apr 13•Christopher Smart

Seven Scenarios for the Iran War

None seems likely to bring oil prices back to “normal” anytime soon. Apr 6•Christopher Smart