- Rising geopolitical tensions, including the deployment of U.S. military assets to the Middle East in response to Iran’s threats, ongoing U.S.-Russia frictions amid Ukraine’s advances into Russian territory, and the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea, are contributing to global instability.
As gold aims to test record high again, let’s look at some of the political issues possibly driving the price action.
Iran Tensions Escalate:
The Pentagon has dispatched a guided missile submarine and a carrier strike group, to the Middle East. This move follows Iran’s vow of retaliation against Israel after a senior Hamas leader was killed in Tehran last month. With nearly two weeks passing without a retaliation, the atmosphere remains tense.
US Political Landscape:
A recent New York Times/Siena poll places Vice President Kamala Harris, who is on a swing state tour, ahead of former President Donald Trump by four points in key battleground states, including Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. However, with nearly three months left until the election, the race remains fluid. Trump is set to appear in an interview with Elon Musk on the X platform, looking for a shift in momentum.
US Economic Concerns:
Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan warned that U.S. consumers might become “dispirited” if the Federal Reserve delays interest rate cuts. He emphasized that once consumer sentiment turns negative, recovery becomes challenging. However, Moynihan acknowledged that Bank of America no longer anticipates a recession.
Ukraine’s Military Advance:
Ukraine’s top military commander reported control over 1,000 square kilometers of Russia’s neighboring Kursk region, with Russia evacuating over 76,000 residents from western Kursk. Russia is now evacuating residents from a second border region as Ukraine’s surprise week-long offensive within Russian territory intensifies.