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The 15 countries that we project to grow the slowest over 2013-14 include, not surprisingly, dysfunctional countries with weak leadership and debt-laden countries with limited financial flexibility, but also developed countries that are just too big to grow quickly. [Here they are hyperlinked to a page of information on each country.]

The U.S. already has more government debt per capita than the PIIGS (Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain) do and it just keeps getting worse and worse thanks to both political parties. We are on the road to national financial oblivion yet most Americans don't seem to care. They don't realize that we have enjoyed the greatest prosperity we will ever see...and that when the debt bubble bursts there is going to be an immense amount of pain. That is a very painful truth, but it is better to come to grips with it now than be blindsided by it later. [Let me explain.] Words: 1140

The gold bubble is about to burst...the decisive move is coming within weeks! Selling has been heavy, key technical levels have been broken, important moving averages have been violated, and momentum is building to the downside. The upcoming drop could be severely sharp. [Let me explain why that is the case.] Words: 1239

Financial markets have largely been focused on Europe's debt crisis, the looming fiscal cliff in the U.S., and the deceleration of the Chinese economy but there are at least 14 other global geo-political risks that investors need to watch for. [The list is below.] Words: 415

Nothing explains the world more elegantly than a map and, in that spirit, we've compiled the 15 most excellent, unusual, and just cool maps that we've recently come across. They cover all the bases: economics, politics, culture, immigration...and some fun stuff too. Take a look. Words: 345

What does a shrinking supply and skyrocketing demand equal? It equals happy investors if you can get in before the public participation phase. Right now, savvy investors are in the accumulation phase of the next massive resource trend, graphite. [Below are the keys to capitalizing on a graphite investment.] Words: 430

If you’re serious about protecting the value of your money then please, as much as I love gold, don’t just buy the yellow metal — also buy some Chinese yuan! [Here's why.] Words: 400

Europe is heading into a full-scale disaster [because,] you see, the debt problems in Europe are not simply related to Greece. They are SYSTEMIC. The European banking system's leverage levels alone position Europe for a full-scale banking collapse on par with Lehman Brothers. Again, I'm talking about Europe's ENTIRE banking system collapsing. This is not a question of "if," it is a question of "when" and it will very likely happen before the end of 2012. Words: 750

"Regardless of whether or not you feel taxes need to be raised, a big set of tax hikes is scheduled to happen. To be sure, some of those hikes will be undone in compromises, but many if not most will sneak through." [Let me explain.]

An op-ed has just been published in the New York Times suggesting that the best way to save the euro is for Germany to exit the European Union and re-introduce it former currency, the Deutsche mark. [Here is the rationale.] Words: 310