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Browse: Home » Budget
EU Budget Brawl Follows Its Failed Summit

EU Budget Brawl Follows Its Failed Summit

November 26, 2012 · by Patrick Smith · in Articles, The Fiscal Times

Europe will get its multi-year budget passed–and that’s a “shave my moustache” prediction—in spite of the fact that the European Union failed to reach a budget agreement at a summit in Brussels last week.  We do not know the timetable…

EU Crisis: Protect the Euro or Ensure Stability?

EU Crisis: Protect the Euro or Ensure Stability?

October 1, 2012 · by Patrick Smith · in Articles, The Fiscal Times

Most of us thought the crisis in Europe had to do with holding the euro together. It is not so simple after last week’s tumult—in Greece, in Portugal, in Spain, even in Germany. What is at issue now is not…

Reengineering Defense: Good, but Not Good Enough

Reengineering Defense: Good, but Not Good Enough

January 9, 2012 · by Patrick Smith · in Articles, The Fiscal Times

At last, Americans can now say, we have broken the habit of preparing for the last war. The strategic defense initiative President Obama unveiled late last week is every bit the departure from previous practice that Obama and Defense Secretary…

The Unwinnable Afghan War: Get Out Now to Save America

The Unwinnable Afghan War: Get Out Now to Save America

August 18, 2011 · by Patrick Smith · in Articles, The Fiscal Times

It’s supposed to be the dog days of August, but we find ourselves watching global markets on a frightening teeter-totter and waiting for Washington to cobble together a debt deal that may or may not hang together. More tragically, the…

U.S. Budget Crisis: Lessons from the Brits

U.S. Budget Crisis: Lessons from the Brits

April 9, 2011 · by Patrick Smith · in Articles, The Fiscal Times

The government shutdown may have been averted, but the fiscal dispute confronting Washington is about to get even louder.  Congress once again has to agree to raise the debt limit or default on our obligations which could have “catastrophic” consequences for…

The Deficit: Congress Fiddles as America Loses Ground

The Deficit: Congress Fiddles as America Loses Ground

March 9, 2011 · by Patrick Smith · in Articles, The Fiscal Times

The recent news from Germany is encouraging for Europe—and sobering for the U.S. Beating all forecasts, unemployment has plunged to its lowest level in nearly 20 years. Business and consumer confidence is hitting records. It is getting hard to flinch…

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About Patrick Lawrence

Writer, commentator, longtime newspaper and magazine correspondent abroad. Writes often on Europe and Asia. Published five books.

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