Last week I warned of a flare-up in Egypt and a reversal in oil and gold. The media are transmitting pictures of street scenes in Egypt that for the most part appear benign. However, riptides of anti-Americanism are squirreling ominously beneath the surface. There are reports that El Baredei is to form a unity government with the Muslim Brotherhood. Business leaders, Westerners, and major shipping companies have rerouted their ships away from Egypt. Egypt has been an ally of the United States for more than 30 years but the new leadership may move the country more extreme. President Hosni Mubarek has been “America’s Man” at the cost of over a billion dollars a year. During Mubarek’s rule Egypt has been at peace with Israel and the US, yet there is now growing anti-Western sentiment. It is a complex situation loaded with large “Black Swans.”
The main point for investors is this change is causing a major flow out of Middle Eastern equities and paper -- such as Egypt Index ETF (EGPT), Market Vectors Gulf States Index ETF (MES), WisdomTree Middle East Dividend Fund (GULF), Israeli Stock ETF (EIS), and SPDR S&P Emerging Middle East & Africa (GAF) -- into gold (CEF), oil (OIL) and commodities (DBC). I expect this trend to continue and for investors to hedge for an eventual changing of the guards. As evidenced in Lebanon and Gaza, the anti-Western sentiment is gaining popularity and we may see several years of geopolitical tensions throughout the Middle East. It doesn't appear that investors like this change of the guard and we may see a more militant Middle East. Investors are fleeing Middle Eastern paper for hard assets as major geopolitical concerns increase. As the situation in Egypt progresses consider the following factors in play:
1. “The Domino Scenario”
Initially Lebanon and Tunisia succumbed, now Egypt is in crisis, and Yemen, Algeria, and Libya are on the brink; eyes are now on Jordan, one of our major allies in the Middle East, where unemployment and hunger are rife within a hostile Palestinian population. They still mourn the night of September 16, 1970, known as “Black September,” when 25,000 Palestinians were massacred by the troops of King Hussein. This was in retaliation for the Palestinians’ assassination of Hussein’s grandfather while he was in prayer at the Dome of the Rock. Already King Abdullah is acquiescing to the masses by changing the cabinet. Could there be pressure in Saudi Arabia as well? This could potentially give key naval chokeholds to radical groups. Remember Mubarek was the strongest proponent of Modern Islam in the Middle East. For years they have been rewarded for maintaining peace with billions of dollars of aid and a strong military.
2. Can the Egyptian Crisis Be Contained?
Or are we witnessing a pivotal turning point in history? The answer remains to be seen. Thus far the United States has been able to control such emergencies. However, America doesn't have a healthy financial structure at home. Our states and municipalities are failing. Unemployment is still high. In addition, the US is involved in two foreign wars. How much more spending both domestic and foreign can the US take with record deficits? The US has plenty of global enemies who are fully aware of our weakened condition. The Obama Administration has not supported Mubarek and this may signal to other countries that the U.S. isn’t interested in further entanglement. This a warning to Israel, that they must look for new allies as the U.S. is not able to enmesh themselves into further conflicts.
3. Only One Nation, Iran, Comes Out of This With a Win/Win
Mysteriously, the country has been silent in the present crisis. One wonders if it stealthily continues to build its nuclear program. Iran is an old hand at using diversionary geo-political tactics to mask their true intentions. With all these revolutions taking place who cares about Iran? One question why has ElBaradei been chosen as the opposition leader? Is it because Mubarek has been the most vocal in the Middle East about controlling Iran’s nuclear capabilities?
4. Could the Suez Canal Be Shut Down? If the Suez Canal closes, expect oil to gap higher
Remember 8% of all sea traffic goes through this intersection. Shipping costs could significantly increase along with Brent crude oil hitting above $100 a barrel. Shipping stocks' volume has increased as analysts monitor this sector. Before the 30-year peace agreement with Israel the Suez Canal was shut down for several years causing major increases. The Sumed Pipeline is another key asset which Egypt controls. The speculation of this strategic location to shut down or the lack of safety may be signaling companies are already rerouting carriers.
Egyptian forces have cut off the use of cell phones and Internet from this region. Israel remains very tight-lipped about Sinai operations. The Israeli Stock ETF has gapped lower on this potential loss of an ally and trading partner. They are concerned about new enemy fronts being opened to the north in Lebanon, now controlled by Hezbollah and Syria, to the east by Jordan, which is dangerously close to becoming politically unstable, and now the potential of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt to the south. Israel is disappointed with Washington’s lack of support of one of the few allies in the Middle East which stood up against Iran.
Important decisions over the next few weeks should move the Middle Eastern markets and could have a significant effect on precious metals, oil, and stock markets. Already there are reports of a lot of physical demand for silver and gold. Once the speculative positions are shaken out gold, silver, uranium and rare earths should continue their moves higher.
Fasten your seat belts for the volatile rides ahead.
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