Links August 10

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Global Macro:

Geopolitics

  • Could Iran court the Taliban to bolster its options? The Diplomat
  • And is the Taliban really the source of violence in Central Asia? EurasiaNet 

United States

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  • No recession says Cullen as rail traffic expands Prag Cap
  • But nobodys buying stocks – volume down 17% on year ago (seasonally?) ZH
  • Surprised? Goldman Sachs employees donate more to Romney than Obama Bloomie
  • AAII Sentiment turns bullish first times since May Prag Cap
  • Go postal, lose $5 billion Reuters 
  • US home prices on the way up in “recovery” Bloomberg

Europe:

  • Is austerity good or bad? It’s neither. Jeffrey Frankel in Vox EU
  • The German labour market is more volatile than you think. More insights from the brainiacs at Vox EU 
  • Spanish and Italian bonds fall on ECB enthusiasm waning Bloomie

Asia:

  • Why China’s rise may have already peaked. Minxin Pei in The Diplomat 
  • Maoist protesters show support for Bo. Financial Times 
  • Grassy knoll: China admits to large-scale live organ harvesting. Epoch Times
  • This time Japan is the source of dodgy infant formula. South China Morning Post 
  • No wonder they’re not having babies. Japan’s population falls for a third consecutive year. Japan Times
  • China’s Yum-Cha economics The Age where have I seen that article before?
  • More links in the daily “China Links post”

Local:

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  • Resource curse could be a blessing if properly used. Joseph Stiglitz in Project Syndicate. Stiglitz writes with Africa in mind, but the lessons also apply to Australia.
  • Can’t rig the swap rate here, says RBA The Cupboard Phew – so, how about that politico-housing complex rig?
  • Big banks competitive enough says Treasury AFR duh…
  • Bank funding costs and competition will keep costs high for years The Age
  • Diggers need luck, not levies AFR boo hoo
  • Newscorp needs luck too, profit slumps on writedowns AFR why does The Doors’ “this is the end” ring a tune here?
  • Time for investors to get off the sidelines AFR um, there are no “sidelines” – this is a myth, but a good one for journalists

Interesting/Different:

  • Stupidity is on the rise in public debate – Barry Jones Fairfax Indeed – we get the media and politicians we deserve
  • Wisconsin teen America’s fastest texter. Chicago Tribune. The new spelling bee?