Join Us at the 2023 World Economic Conference in Orlando, Florida!

? Dates: November 17, 18, and 19 ? Location: Orlando, Florida, USA (or tune in from home with our virtual ticket options)

Are you ready to unlock the future of economics and finance? Prepare for an unforgettable World Economic Conference experience in sunny Orlando, Florida! This premier event is your gateway to insights, networking, and valuable resources that will supercharge your understanding of the global economy.

?️ What’s Included for In-Person Attendees:

1. Event Admission: Enjoy reserved seating assigned based on the order of ticket sales, ensuring you have a prime view of every presentation.
2. Presentation Slides: Gain access to the presentation slides from all speakers, allowing you to delve deeper into the topics discussed.
3. Video Recording: Can’t make it to a session? No worries! You’ll receive access to video recordings of all conference presentations, so you can catch up at your convenience.
4. WEC Event App: Connect with the conference on a whole new level. Access presentation slides, bonus reports, recordings, and more via the official WEC Event App.
5. Bonus Conference Materials: Get a package of bonus conference-related materials, including exclusive bonus reports and videos (as provided by Martin Armstrong).
6. Morning Information Sessions: Don’t miss out on important morning information sessions, screened on-site in the meeting room on Saturday and Sunday.
7. Networking Opportunities: Exclusive access to the Event App Networking Feature allows you to connect with fellow attendees, both in-person and virtual, fostering valuable professional relationships.
8. Culinary Delights: Savor delicious breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, prepared to keep you energized throughout the day.
9. Cocktail Reception: Kick off the conference in style at our Friday evening cocktail reception. Meet and mingle with fellow attendees while enjoying refreshing drinks.
10. Swag Bag: As a token of our appreciation, each in-person attendee will receive a swag bag filled with goodies, including an Armstrong Economics notebook, pen, and an event collector’s mug!

Unable to travel? We also have two different ticket options for those wishing to attend virtually! 

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a global gathering of economic and financial minds. Secure your spot at the World Economic Conference in Orlando, Florida, and gain the knowledge, connections, and resources you need to thrive in the world of finance and economics.

Space is limited, so act now and reserve your seat! Visit our Events page to register and join us in sunny Orlando this November.

Now available at all major retailers!

The eBook will be available shortly.

The second edition of “The Plot to Seize Russia – The Untold History” is now available for purchase in paperback and hardcover on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. The ebook will be available shortly.

Book description:

“Take care of Russia,” Boris Yeltsin said as he departed his presidency in August 1999. These words were directed at current Russian president, Vladimir Putin. Yeltsin specifically picked Putin as his predecessor to prevent the takeover of Russia.

So, who was Yeltsin warning against? Newly declassified documents from the Clinton Administration prove that there was a plot to rig the Russian election of 2000. These never-before-seen documents confirm numerous attempts to implement pro-Western policies using the Russian oligarchy headed by Boris Berezovsky.

On the other side were the communists who desired a return to the glory days of the Soviet Union. As one of the largest international hedge fund managers, author Martin Armstrong found himself in the middle of perhaps the greatest espionage, or attempt at a regime change for Russia, in modern history.

The Plot to Seize Russia pulls back the curtain to expose the most extraordinary attempt to seize power in modern history, but with the pen rather than armies. These declassified documents reveal a plot that has altered our thinking about the relations between the United States and Russia. The thirst for power comes seething through every line of these papers that alter our perception of reality, change the course of history, and now threaten us with World War III.

Donald Trump signed a new Executive Order to overhaul federal workforce training to prepare Americans for skilled trade jobs. The US federal government funnels $700 billion per year to American universities, but most students exit the education system without any real job prospects in their field of study. This initiative aims to teach young Americans skilled trades that will lead to guaranteed employment and close the labor shortage gap.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US workforce was short 447,000 construction workers and 94,000 durable goods workers. At the current trajectory, the agency believes the nation will be short half a million tradesman positions over the next decade. Over 20% of American manufacturing plants reported labor shortages in 2024, leading to a decline in productivity. Trump has been keenly focused on expanding America’s shrinking manufacturing sector and this initiative is a step in the right direction.

Shortage estimates vary. A Deloitte/Manufacturing Institute report warned of 1.9 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2033, as 3.8 million role will need to be filled. Manufacturing employment plummeted to its lowest level during the pandemic with nearly half (46.3%) of the sector out of work. Pandemic aside, manufacturers are struggling to find skilled laborers, with the same Deloitte poll noting that 65% of manufacturers found attracting and retaining talent was their primary business challenge. It was also revealed that 47% of companies would begin to offer work-study or apprenticeship programs.

Trump’s new plan would provide support for 1 million apprenticeships annually. No amount of academia can compensate for a lack of hands-on experience. The old notion that one must complete higher education to obtain a good-paying job is a relic of the past. In fact, many of these trade positions offer excellent first-year pay compared to entry-level corporate jobs. Additionally, these are jobs that likely cannot be replaced with AI. There will always be a need for plumbers, electricians, welders, etc. Higher education is unnecessary for most fields, and reframing education as an opportunity to learn directly from those in the field is an excellent way to educate the next generation of workers, albeit at the detriment of universities.

The minerals deal was enough to entice President Donald Trump to cave, siding with Kiev and permitting the first US sale of military equipment to Ukraine since taking office. Trump has been extremely critical of Zelensky since the war began, consistently warning Zelensky that he has blood on his hands and must end the war.

Congress approved a $50 million defense package to Ukraine through direct commercial sales (DCS). Trump is a businessman first and foremost—the mineral deal had to be approved before he would approve of any aid package. The United States now has preferential rights to extract minerals from Ukraine. This will provide the US with rare earth elements that are essential for technology and defense at a time when China is withholding sales.

Ukraine retains full ownership over its subsoil and natural resources. Any extraction must be approved by Kyiv. The deal will establish a joint Reconstruction Investment Fund—50% of revenue from licenses for Ukrainian minerals and oil will go into this fund that is intended to aid Ukraine. “Together with the United States, we will create a fund that will attract Western investments to our country,” Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said. “We will manage this fund jointly with the United States. Neither party will have a majority vote, reflecting an equal partnership between Ukraine and the United States.”

Svyrydenko believes that the US will entice others to invest into the fund, which is supported by the US International Finance Cooperation (DFC). “DFC will help us attract investments and technologies from funds and companies in both the US and the EU and other countries that support our fight against the Russian enemy,” Svyrydenko said. She also noted that the first decade of profits and revenues will only be invested in Ukraine.

“In recognition of the significant financial and material support that the people of the United States have provided to the defense of Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion, this economic partnership positions our two countries to work collaboratively and invest together to ensure that our mutual assets, talents, and capabilities can accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery,” the US Treasury Department stated.

While the Kremlin has not officially commented at the time of this writing, there are statements coming from Moscow condemning this deal. Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, believes Trump is taking advantage of Ukraine by strategically asking it to “pay for U.S. aid with mineral resources.” He declared that “Ukraine is a vanishing country” and believes the US is simply profiting off of a broken nation. Sergei Markov stated that prolonging military spending will only prolong the war and deter any diplomatic efforts.

China controls 75% of the world’s rare earth minerals, and the US has been desperate to secure new reserves in the wake of the trade war. Ukraine’s mineral deposits have been largely untouched up until now. There were strategic reasons for the US to sign this deal, but it remains to be seen whether this move will lead to further involvement in this perpetual proxy war.

COVID-19 has become a repressed memory to the majority. I have not forgotten the injustice caused by the hands of belligerent politicians who have never faced justice for their crimes against humanity. One of endless aspects of injustice occurred at the hands of Democratic governors who insisted that infected elderly patients be sent back to nursing home facilities, resulting 1 in 10 nursing home residents dying from the virus.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has certainly been vocal about Trump being authoritarian. Yet, no one has charged him for forcing COVID-infected patients into nursing homes. Over 80% of COVID deaths in Minnesota occurred in nursing home facilities, yet Walz takes no responsibility. “This was what everyone was doing. This was not a mistake,” the failed Democrat VP nominee stated. He issued fines up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail for anyone found guilty of violating his stay-at-home lockdown. Then, of course, there was his infamous COVID hotline for people to report on their neighbors for failing to adhere to Walz’s orders. Walz claimed, “[O]ne person’s socialism is another person’s neighborliness.” This man would have been the second-most powerful person in the nation had Kamala won the election.

Andrew Cuomo of New York was the only governor to face a public trial after his policies led to 15,000 nursing home deaths. The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic found Cuomo guilty of covering up his involvement in the matter and falsifying records, yet he faced no charges for his crimes.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy insisted that the elderly be sent back to nursing care facilities to alleviate hospital overcrowding. As a result, over 50% of COVID deaths in the state occurred in long-term care facilities, and 17% of residents in these facilities passed away, surpassing 15,000 people. He has not been charged.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer enforced policies that exposed the state’s most vulnerable population to the virus. As a result. 5% of nursing home resident died or around 2,000 people. She has not been charged.

California’s Governor Gavin Newsom initially followed New York’s policy of forcing the sick back into long-term care facilities, but quickly changed course as the death toll began to rise. Too little, too late as 2% of residents or around 2,000 people passed away. He has not been charged.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf forced COVID-positive elderly patients back into nursing homes. Half of the state’s COVID deaths occurred in these facilities, with reported outbreaks occurring at 407 state facilities. The total death toll has not been made public. He has not been charged.

There should be no COVID amnesty. The same politicians are now claiming that Trump is dismantling our society, yet they take no responsibility for what they did during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All my sources have been singing the same song. Carney won by creating hatred of Donald Trump, for this was a strategy carried out for the sole purpose of moving away from the USA and aligning with the EU. Even when Carney first became PM, he went to the EU, not to Washington. He is still part of the whole WEF agenda. They ditched Schwab, but it’s the same old car with a new paint job to change the appearance. So you won’t hear the slogan You will own nothing and be happy. They intend to promote this without the label.

Canada’s Inevitable Split – 30% Alberta Wants Freedom Already

Let’s get real. There is ABSOLUTELY no question that Canada will split West vs East. While the US did that with the Civil War over Slavery, this time we are staring into the eyes of economic decline, and we will see a worldwide recession into 2028. That is the economic trigger that sparks change. India had split between East and West, Hindu vs Islam; the Balkans are still divided, Ukraine has hated Russians and was into ethnic cleansing. Greece has had a long-standing hatred for Turkey since the days of Alexander the Great. In case you have not noticed, the world is deeply divided for varying reasons.

Thus, Canada is not alone in this separatist movement. The European Union will also not survive, and trouble is brewing in Asia; by no means will the United States be exempt. In Britain, you still have Scottish vs English. Ireland is still divided, North vs South.

The root cause of this rise in separatism is always an abusive centralized government. Once you hand power to a centralized government, it takes a revolution ever to get it back. As they say, you can vote your way into Socialism, but you have to shoot your way out. It always starts with the denial of free speech. Sometimes these splits end up in a civil war, and at other times it has been a bloodless revolution, as we saw in Russia in 1991, when the vast majority of the people did not support the leaders. This is what is unfolding in the EU, and you can expect to see the same in Canada. Carney is determined to keep the whole WOKE/CLIMATE Agenda in place and carry it out into 2030. Nothing has changed.

Canada will split between East and West due to economics. This is not just a personal opinion of mine. I don’t live there. This is the judgment of history, and this process has been going on for thousands of years. California has now become the 4th largest economy in the world, so even one state is now bigger than all of Canada, which is ranked 9th among nations, with the US #1, China #2, and Japan #3. Even India has recently overtaken the UK to become the 5th largest economy. So, Carney wants to abandon trade with the US and align with the EU? He is not a financial genius, but a devotee of the WEF. Western Canada will have NO CHOICE but to split from Carney’s centralized control, which will be more devoted to the WEF Agenda 2030 than Trudeau. Just the same old car with a new engine and paint job.

Communism collapsed because it resulted in stagnated economic growth that, over time, turned negative. Just compare Canada to the United States, and you see that highly socialistic economies also produce lower economic growth.

We see that the very same socialist policies in Europe have ensured that economic growth has been dismal. Carney wants to align Canada with the EU because this is the alignment of Marxism that destroyed Russia and China under Communism. Carney cares nothing about the Canadian people. This is all about a political philosophy that has failed every single time.

This is what 2032 is all about.

PRIVATE BLOG – Playing Trump for the Fool

Private blog posts are exclusively available to Socrates subscribers. To sign-up for Socrates or to learn more, please visit Ask-Socrates.com.

https://ask-socrates.com/

June 2025 Webinars

About our webinars:

Due to the high demand and interest surrounding recent and upcoming significant turning points, we are offering another webinar on the Economic Confidence Model (ECM) and the global business cycle.

While researching the fluctuations in prices, Martin Armstrong came across a list of international economic panics. Just for fun, he decided to explore the merits of cycle theory, and while researching, he discovered the Cycle of Economic Confidence.

These seminars will explain the origins, characteristics, and turning points of the Economic Confidence Model. We want to help users better understand the model. The webinar will be led by Erwin Pletsch, who has over 30 years of experience following Martin Armstrong’s research and using the ECM model. While it is certainly beneficial to have studied the ECM beforehand, it is not required.

Erwin will also take the time to answer any questions you may have. Additionally, attendees will receive the slides for the webinar they attend before the session.

Questions? Reach out to us at [email protected]

Our webinars are meticulously crafted to provide you with actionable insights and advanced strategies that can transform your trading and investment approach. Each session is led by Erwin Pletsch, whose extensive experience and deep knowledge of economic cycles will guide you through complex concepts and practical applications.

Secure Your Spot Today!

Don’t miss out on these exclusive learning opportunities. Whether you choose one webinar or all three, you’ll gain invaluable knowledge that can help you navigate and thrive in the ever-changing financial landscape. Questions? Please reach out to our customer service department by submitting a ticket on our website.

Disclaimer: Please note this session is not a financial advisory service, nor is it intended as a training or walk-through for trading advice. These sessions are designed for relatively smaller groups to enhance their learning opportunity, and each webinar will conclude with a 30-minute question-and-answer session where everyone may type in questions, which will be read to everyone and answered immediately by Erwin Pletsch. No recording will be permitted during the session.

QUESTION: Hey Martin,

I’ve been receiving this question frequently—are there particular markets we should be focusing on, or is the upcoming ECM turning point more of a general signal across the board?

The economic confidence model is due in early May, and could you please tell me what markets Marty says to focus on when it arrives?

ANSWER: I will clarify in more detail on the Private Blog. However, May 15th is specific to the Ukraine proxy war against Russia, which Ukraine essentially just lost. Russia has expelled the Ukrainian troops from Russia, and they have complete control of the Donbas and Crimea. However, since this is a proxy war, the EU has been telling its people that war with Russia is inevitable, but that is 5 years away. There is no way that is reality. The ECM on the global economy turns June 2/3rd, but then look at the next turning point thereafter – 2026.496. This is the major ECM that goes back to about 6,000BC. Notice that on the war itself, the central turning point will be 2026.45. I would be concerned that this is when we will see an actual war between the EU and Russia. The EU will lose, and the Neocons have lost every single war they have been engaging in post-WWII, starting with Korea.

I believe that May 15th will be a local event and could even be related to Zelensky. Perhaps the Ukrainian people will rise up against Zelensky, who follows his orders from NATO and Boris Johnson. The Ukrainians I speak to hate Zelensky’s guts, and he may stupidly send a drone to attack Putin’s parade on the orders of Johnson, who does not care if a single Ukrainian survives. He is not concerned about the people who die for his ambition to conquer Russia. He will allow the death of billions just to win. He killed the peace deal, and the real question is, when will the Ukrainians wake the hell up and take their country back?

Washington state is multiplying taxes for mega corporations in a move to cover its widening budget deficit. The state is expected to face a $12 to $16 billion shortfall over the next four years, according to the Office of Financial Management. The deficit should come as no surprise as state spending has ballooned by 40% in the past four years alone.

Under HB 2081, the state’s Business and Occupation (B&O) tax will be revised to raise the “Advanced Computing Surcharge.” Corporations earning over $25 billion globally will see their tax rate spike from 1.22% to 7.5%, with the maximum payment expanding from $9 million to $75 million. More specifically, the state is looking to shake down big tech companies like Microsoft and Amazon to compensate for its excessive spending.

Companies earning over $5 million annually will face a tax hike from 1.75% to 2.1%. The state has also implemented a temporary 0.5% B&O surcharge from January 1, 20216 to December 31, 2030, for companies earning over $250 million in Washington taxable income.

The state requires more revenue, and targeting corporations is merely the beginning. Senate Bill 5814 will raise the state sales tax from 6.5% to 10.6%. Digital automated services were previously exempt from this tax, but beginning in October, tech companies will be required to pay. The state hopes to collect $2.9 billion from this measure alone.

Yet, the state still requires more revenue. Senate Bill 5813 will restructure the capital gains tax to create a new top tier for gains over $1 million. In addition to the 7% base tax, the state has implemented an additional 2.9% surtax. The state expects to generate $321.6 million from this additional fee.

Per usual, fees will be passed on to the consumers.

Naturally, the decision-makers are failing to address the problem—excessive spending. Tax revenue has already increased by 34% or $18 billion since 2019. Politicians passed a number of social programs without proper funding. The child care subsidy expansion passed in 2021, but it took four years to amass the $300 million required. State-funded pre-K expansion also passed in 2021, but the $214 million has not been fully paid. Washington’s tort liability payout account has been operating at a deficit for multiple years, requiring $1 billion to simply move out of the red. What about the Rainy-Day Fund? Democrats used the $2.3 billion revenue to pay for more social programs.

Washington implemented a freeze on non-essential spending in December. Some believe that the state needs to implement a wealth tax, as Democrat lawmakers seek every option to fix the deficit that does not include spending cuts.

Washington managed to spiral into a massive debt in a short amount of time. Governor Inslee approved of incorporating an additional $2 billion into the $69.8 billion operating budget back in March. Eight months later, the Office of Financial Management declared that there was a serious problem and the state could face a deficit of $10 to $12 billion, revising that figure to $16 billion a month later.

The state was operating at a $14 billion surplus three years ago before politicians ramped up their spending by 40%. State taxes have increased by 99% in the past decade, while state spending has risen by 114% in the same time period. It is always the responsibility of the people to pay for government’s fiscal mismanagement.

Russia-North Korean relations are stronger than ever. Russia has begun construction on a 4.7-kilometer bridge across the Tumen River that will connect the two nations.

Russia’s Prime Minister, Mikhail Mishustin, announced that the project will facilitate trade and tourism and reduce transportation costs. “This is truly a milestone for Russian-Korean relations,” Mishustin said during a video meeting with Pak Thae-song, chairman of North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly. “The significance goes far beyond just an engineering task … it symbolises our common desire to strengthen friendly, good-neighbourly relations and increase interregional cooperation,” he added. Mishustin also stated that the project will help “entrepreneurs” to significantly increase the number of imported/exported goods. The two nations face the harshest sanctions in the world, and North Korea, especially, is in desperate need of food and basic goods.

Tourism will be for the Russians, as North Koreans may not leave their nation without government approval. Leaving North Korea is seen as “treachery against the nation” and punishable by death. It is extremely rare for a citizen to receive clearance to travel, and permits are typically only granted to diplomats, athletes, or the political elite; even then, they are closely monitored. The new bridge will feature checkpoints to prevent anyone from attempting to flee.

“There are many sportspeople and children going there,” Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of the Primorye Region, said, without further comment. There are reports that North Korea hosted summer camps for children of Russian soldiers who were killed during the war in Ukraine. It remains to be seen whether Russian families will permit their children to travel to North Korea for summer holiday.

Russia and North Korea, two countries with nuclear capabilities, have strengthened their alliance and this bridge is symbolic of their desire to continue relations. Some speculate that North Korean troops may even be permitted to join the Red Square parade on May 9 to commemorate the end of World War II. South Korea’s intelligence agencies have been monitoring the construction of the bridge.

Sochi, the company in charge of construction, believes the project will be complete by 2026.