Building Wealth One thing has become clear to us over the past few months... The world's two biggest militaries seem the closest to all-out war in more than a generation.
U.S. Air Force General Mike Minihan recently made headlines after he sent a memo to the officers he commands, predicting a war between China and the U.S. over Chinese relations with the breakaway island of Taiwan. Here's what he wrote...
I hope I am wrong. My gut tells me we will fight in 2025. [Chinese President Xi Jinping] secured his third term and set his war council in October 2022. Taiwan's presidential elections are in 2024 and will offer Xi a reason. United States' presidential elections are in 2024 and will offer Xi a distracted America. Xi's team, reason, and opportunity are all aligned for 2025.
Now, this is just one general's commentary. But keep this in mind: President Joe Biden has been on the record saying that U.S. forces would defend Taiwan – which is a democratic U.S. ally even though we don't technically acknowledge its independence from China – in the event of a Chinese invasion.
And as you surely saw earlier this month... a U.S. Air Force fighter shot down a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon that was believed to be involved in espionage.
China accused the U.S. of "seriously violating international practice." China also said it "reserves the right to use necessary means to deal with similar situations."
Two global superpowers inching toward bloodshed is a terrifying notion, but that's not the only worry...
Iran warned Israel "not to play with fire" after a suspected Israeli drone attack on a key defense facility in the city of Isfahan.
Conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians just endured its bloodiest year since 2005, leading many observers to warn the situation could descend into full-blown war.
Again, one thing is clear... Geopolitical tensions will continue to build.
In the months and years to come, countries will look to strengthen their borders and arm their soldiers. Given all the turmoil in our world today, there's no way a government won't decide to do this. The U.S. certainly will.
Let's be clear... No one is rooting for war. The carnage is horrific. It destroys countries and displaces millions from their homes. We'd far prefer the world hurtling toward some idyllic future where our common humanity is universally respected.
But that doesn't seem like the way things are going.
So instead, we need to be clear-eyed investors and put our money to work where capital is flowing. In a world like ours, it's going to flow into the defense industry.
In the most recent issue of my Retirement Millionaire newsletter, I recommended folks become "war profiteers." I detailed a defense contractor that supplies much-needed tools of war... enjoys the upside of an unrelated commercial business... and is currently valued no higher than the overall stock market.
I also discussed how exactly Ukraine is "winning" the war against Russia.
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What We're Reading...
- China demands an apology from the U.S. over the spy-balloon shootdown.
- Something different: President Biden makes a surprise visit to Kyiv.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
February 22, 2023