(Zero Hedge)—Since Hamas launched a brutal terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 – and the resulting invasion of Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces shortly after to eradicate the terrorist group, the Biden administration has been scrambling to prevent a regional war from erupting during the US election cycle, all while the Federal Reserve is fighting the wicked inflation monster.
Deterring a regional war has been a significant challenge for the Biden administration and will likely require restraint on Israel’s part. The US’ latest bombing campaign against dozens of Iran-backed militia targets across Yemen, Iraq, and Syria has only made the situation worse. At the same time, Houthi rebels continue causing chaos at a critical maritime chokepoint in the southern Red Sea.
There has been an escalation in the Middle East crisis. Navigating this very uncertain macroeconomic climate as the post-1945 economic order fractures – is giving way to a dangerous multi-polar world.
David Asher, a senior fellow at Hudson Institute and former investigator into Covid origins at the State Department, recently penned a note titled “Navigating the New World Disorder: Economic Faultlines, Fissures, Fractures, and Failures.”
In this note, Asher points to a world that is in crisis, similar to the 1920s/30s.
On slide three, the macro strategist labels five “looming supply shocks” for the global economy.
He asks: “Is this the end of the long economic growth cycle that has existed since 1947 or “just” a return to the 1970s?”
While China’s economy struggles to recover, Asher asks another question: “Is Global Trade Recovering or Not?”
On slide nine, given the mounting risks in the Middle East. He said: “Global oil shock could trigger a crisis ala 2007-2008.”
He described a series of events that paint an awful gloomy outlook for the Middle East that have significant consequences for global markets.
Slide thirty is titled: “Iran is Preparing For Oil War: Markets Ignore Growing Risk.”
The next slide shows the US Navy needs to be better positioned in the Red Sea and Gulf area to respond to a major crisis. Not being prepared has been the theme so far with the failure of Biden’s Operation Prosperity Guardian to secure the critical Red Sea waterway.
Could Tehran use oil as an economic weapon against the West?
Consider the economic impacts of previous oil shocks…
This is where readers need to pay attention: Imagine the scenario where Yemen’s Houthi rebels start targeting key oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.
Remember 2019?
Should a repeat of 2019 occur, then Brent crude prices could surge.
And this would cause a massive headache for Jerome Powell’s inflation fight.
Given all this, are defense stocks a good buy?
The core theme of this note is America’s adversaries in the Middle East could weaponize energy to cause a financial shock. What is necessary for the US military is not just to be focused on the Red Sea chokepoint but also on Saudi’s energy infrastructure because crude prices could be one attack away from spiking over the $100 a barrel level.
There is good news: US crude production is at record highs. The bad news: radical climate change warriors in the White House have drained the SPR and crushed the ability to expand refining capacity.
A perfect storm of higher crude prices is brewing… All eyes on the Middle East.
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Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.