Are China & The USA Working Together To Carve Up The Globe? | Peter Alexander

The Trump Administration reports it is decimating Iran's ruling regime and military capacity, claiming the war is all but won and should end soon.Others see Iran's continued strikes on key infrastructure, ships & civilians across it Gulf neighbors and worry the US is becoming stuck in another long-term Mideast quagmire.Which version is closer to reality?To address, RANE's Mideast analyst Ryan Bohl joins us for this livestream where he'll provide his latest assessment of the situation and take live audience Q&AFollow Ryan on X at @Ryan_BohlOr on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanbohl#iranwar #geopolitics #oilprice 00:00 - Ryan's high-level geopolitical framing: Power rankings02:20 - Why Iran qualifies as a middle power 03:30 - U.S. historical experience04:30 - Trump's strategy misapplied to Iran05:40 - Was this a miscalculation or a planned high-risk scenario?07:10 - Realistic "declare victory & leave" outcome?08:50 - Iran's incentive to prolong economic pain10:55 - If U.S. pulls out soon, will Iran keep disrupting the Strait of Hormuz / energy flows?14:45 - Escalation to destroying Iran's own energy infrastructure16:50 - Supply disruption vs. supply destruction18:30 - Risk of tit-for-tat energy war spiraling across the Gulf19:50 - Could this war accelerate global shift away from Gulf oil?21:40 - Gulf states' adaptation23:20 - Iran's "hostage strategy"24:55 - Probability GCC states join the war26:50 - UAE's potential interest in retaking Abu Musa / Tunb islands28:40 - Limited allied involvement32:15 - If U.S. declares victory & withdraws34:50 - Requirements for truly ending the Iranian threat36:20 - Iran's post-war alignment choices 38:55 - Low probability of near-term internal uprising / regime change from within40:50 - U.S. political will remains the fragile variable43:00 - Current status of Iran's ballistic / drone capabilities45:50 - Limits of air power alone47:40 - Nuclear program assessment50:55 - Most probable next chapter55:20 - Broader economic tailwinds_____________________________________________Thoughtful Money LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor Promoter.We produce educational content geared for the individual investor. It’s important to note that this content is NOT investment advice, individual or otherwise, nor should be construed as such.We recommend that most investors, especially if inexperienced, should consider benefiting from the direction and guidance of a qualified financial advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities regulators who can develop & implement a personalized financial plan based on a customer’s unique goals, needs & risk tolerance.IMPORTANT NOTE: There are risks associated with investing in securities.Investing in stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, money market funds, and other types of securities involve risk of loss. Loss of principal is possible. Some high risk investments may use leverage, which will accentuate gains & losses. Foreign investing involves special risks, including a greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods.A security’s or a firm’s past investment performance is not a guarantee or predictor of future investment performance.Thoughtful Money and the Thoughtful Money logo are trademarks of Thoughtful Money LLC.Copyright © 2026 Thoughtful Money LLC. All rights reserved.

Right now the world's attention is focused on Iran, which is under siege by the US and Israel.But many in America think the real threat to Amercia -- economically and geostrategically -- is a different country, perhaps one the war in Iran is designed to weaken = China.Many viewers of this channel have been asking for a deep dive on China -- its capabilities, its motivations and its likely future actions.Well today we're delivering on that. I have the good fortune to welcome to the program Peter Alexander, Founder & CEO of Z-Ben Advisors, a leading provider of market intelligence and strategic advice on every facet of China’s asset management industry.#china #geopolitics #monroedoctrine _____________________________________________ Thoughtful Money LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor Promoter.We produce educational content geared for the individual investor. It’s important to note that this content is NOT investment advice, individual or otherwise, nor should be construed as such.We recommend that most investors, especially if inexperienced, should consider benefiting from the direction and guidance of a qualified financial advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities regulators who can develop & implement a personalized financial plan based on a customer’s unique goals, needs & risk tolerance.IMPORTANT NOTE: There are risks associated with investing in securities.Investing in stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, money market funds, and other types of securities involve risk of loss. Loss of principal is possible. Some high risk investments may use leverage, which will accentuate gains & losses. Foreign investing involves special risks, including a greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods.A security’s or a firm’s past investment performance is not a guarantee or predictor of future investment performance.Thoughtful Money and the Thoughtful Money logo are trademarks of Thoughtful Money LLC.Copyright © 2026 Thoughtful Money LLC. All rights reserved.

TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANDY'S JUNK SILVER OFFER go to https://thoughtfulmoney.com/buygoldThe CME recently lowered margin requirements on gold & silver.And the war in Iran continues to rage, increasing global uncertainty.Are these conditions that will send the price of the precious metals back to new highs?Precious metals expert Andy Schectman, CEO of Miles Franklin, returns to provide his latest update and take audience Q&A.#goldprice #silverprice #preciousmetals_____________________________________________Thoughtful Money LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor Promoter.We produce educational content geared for the individual investor. It’s important to note that this content is NOT investment advice, individual or otherwise, nor should be construed as such.We recommend that most investors, especially if inexperienced, should consider benefiting from the direction and guidance of a qualified financial advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities regulators who can develop & implement a personalized financial plan based on a customer’s unique goals, needs & risk tolerance.IMPORTANT NOTE: There are risks associated with investing in securities.Investing in stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, money market funds, and other types of securities involve risk of loss. Loss of principal is possible. Some high risk investments may use leverage, which will accentuate gains & losses. Foreign investing involves special risks, including a greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods.A security’s or a firm’s past investment performance is not a guarantee or predictor of future investment performance.Thoughtful Money and the Thoughtful Money logo are trademarks of Thoughtful Money LLC.Copyright © 2026 Thoughtful Money LLC. All rights reserved.

REGISTER FOR THOUGHTFUL MONEY'S SPRING ONLINE CONFERENCE AT THE 'LAST CHANCE TO SAVE' DISCOUNT PRICE at https://www.thoughtfulmoney.com/conferenceThe military conflict in Iran has sent oil prices to $100/barrel, placing stress on the global economy.And tonight, the US just threatened to destroy the oil infrastructure on Kharg Island, which would essentially cut off Iran's ability to export.Should oil prices remain elevated -- or even worse, move even higher -- for any notable time, would this send the financial markets into shock?Portfolio manager Lance Roberts and I discuss the odds, as well as the mounting concerns in private credit in this week's Market Update.For everything that mattered to markets this week, watch this video.#oilprice #iranwar #privatecredit _____________________________________________ Thoughtful Money LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor Promoter.We produce educational content geared for the individual investor. It’s important to note that this content is NOT investment advice, individual or otherwise, nor should be construed as such.We recommend that most investors, especially if inexperienced, should consider benefiting from the direction and guidance of a qualified financial advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities regulators who can develop & implement a personalized financial plan based on a customer’s unique goals, needs & risk tolerance.IMPORTANT NOTE: There are risks associated with investing in securities.Investing in stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, money market funds, and other types of securities involve risk of loss. Loss of principal is possible. Some high risk investments may use leverage, which will accentuate gains & losses. Foreign investing involves special risks, including a greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods.A security’s or a firm’s past investment performance is not a guarantee or predictor of future investment performance.Thoughtful Money and the Thoughtful Money logo are trademarks of Thoughtful Money LLC.Copyright © 2026 Thoughtful Money LLC. All rights reserved.

With the US at war with Iran, oil prices spiking, private credit imploding and payrolls sinking -- it's perhaps understandable some investors are worried the world is going to hell.To put everything in perspective for us today -- likely using more than a few f-bombs himself -- is Chris Irons is the author and publisher of Quoth The Raven, which has become one of most popular financial newsletters around, currently sitting at #27 in the list of top financial Substacks worldwide.REGISTER FOR THOUGHTFUL MONEY'S SPRING ONLINE CONFERENCE AT THE 'LAST CHANCE TO SAVE' DISCOUNT PRICE at https://www.thoughtfulmoney.com/conferenceFollow Chris at https://quoththeraven.substack.com/#privatecredit #marketcorrection #iranwar _____________________________________________ Thoughtful Money LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor Promoter.We produce educational content geared for the individual investor. It’s important to note that this content is NOT investment advice, individual or otherwise, nor should be construed as such.We recommend that most investors, especially if inexperienced, should consider benefiting from the direction and guidance of a qualified financial advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities regulators who can develop & implement a personalized financial plan based on a customer’s unique goals, needs & risk tolerance.IMPORTANT NOTE: There are risks associated with investing in securities.Investing in stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, money market funds, and other types of securities involve risk of loss. Loss of principal is possible. Some high risk investments may use leverage, which will accentuate gains & losses. Foreign investing involves special risks, including a greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods.A security’s or a firm’s past investment performance is not a guarantee or predictor of future investment performance.Thoughtful Money and the Thoughtful Money logo are trademarks of Thoughtful Money LLC.Copyright © 2026 Thoughtful Money LLC. All rights reserved.

REGISTER FOR THOUGHTFUL MONEY'S SPRING ONLINE CONFERENCE AT THE 'LAST CHANCE TO SAVE' DISCOUNT PRICE at https://www.thoughtfulmoney.com/conferenceHistory repeats. And we've seen time and time again over the ages how monetary systems collapse.Monetary analyst John Rubino thinks we're now entering the "death spiral" phase of the world's major fiat currencies, due to immense amount of debt obligations nations are now burdened with.What come next?Watch this video to find out.#money #fiatmoney #currencycollapse _____________________________________________ Thoughtful Money LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor Promoter.We produce educational content geared for the individual investor. It’s important to note that this content is NOT investment advice, individual or otherwise, nor should be construed as such.We recommend that most investors, especially if inexperienced, should consider benefiting from the direction and guidance of a qualified financial advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities regulators who can develop & implement a personalized financial plan based on a customer’s unique goals, needs & risk tolerance.IMPORTANT NOTE: There are risks associated with investing in securities.Investing in stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, money market funds, and other types of securities involve risk of loss. Loss of principal is possible. Some high risk investments may use leverage, which will accentuate gains & losses. Foreign investing involves special risks, including a greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods.A security’s or a firm’s past investment performance is not a guarantee or predictor of future investment performance.Thoughtful Money and the Thoughtful Money logo are trademarks of Thoughtful Money LLC.Copyright © 2026 Thoughtful Money LLC. All rights reserved.

LAST CHANCE! REGISTER FOR THOUGHTFUL MONEY'S SPRING ONLINE CONFERENCE AT THE EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT PRICE at https://www.thoughtfulmoney.com/conferenceWould your portfolio be able to survive if a "lost decade" lies ahead for the stock market?Such lost decades happen more frequently than many investors realize.The senior team at New Harbor Financial discuss the risks of such a period of underperformance, as well as share their outlook given the Iran war.#marketcorrection #bearmarket #iranwar _____________________________________________ Thoughtful Money LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor Promoter.We produce educational content geared for the individual investor. It’s important to note that this content is NOT investment advice, individual or otherwise, nor should be construed as such.We recommend that most investors, especially if inexperienced, should consider benefiting from the direction and guidance of a qualified financial advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities regulators who can develop & implement a personalized financial plan based on a customer’s unique goals, needs & risk tolerance.IMPORTANT NOTE: There are risks associated with investing in securities.Investing in stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, money market funds, and other types of securities involve risk of loss. Loss of principal is possible. Some high risk investments may use leverage, which will accentuate gains & losses. Foreign investing involves special risks, including a greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods.A security’s or a firm’s past investment performance is not a guarantee or predictor of future investment performance.Thoughtful Money and the Thoughtful Money logo are trademarks of Thoughtful Money LLC.Copyright © 2026 Thoughtful Money LLC. All rights reserved.

And they've weakened since the outbreak of war in Iran?Could they be on the verge of a larger correction?While unknowable for certain, portfolio manager Michael Lebowitz and his team at RIA are starting to decrease their equity exposure.He and I discuss why, as well as the recent disappointing payroll data, rising private credit fears, the strengthening US dollar and falling bond prices, as well as his firm's latest trades.For everything that mattered to markets this week, watch this video.LAST CHANCE! REGISTER FOR THOUGHTFUL MONEY'S SPRING ONLINE CONFERENCE AT THE EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT PRICE at https://www.thoughtfulmoney.com/conferenceStock prices have been stuck in a trading range for five months now.#jobsreport #iranwar #privatecredit _____________________________________________ Thoughtful Money LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor Promoter.We produce educational content geared for the individual investor. It’s important to note that this content is NOT investment advice, individual or otherwise, nor should be construed as such.We recommend that most investors, especially if inexperienced, should consider benefiting from the direction and guidance of a qualified financial advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities regulators who can develop & implement a personalized financial plan based on a customer’s unique goals, needs & risk tolerance.IMPORTANT NOTE: There are risks associated with investing in securities.Investing in stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, money market funds, and other types of securities involve risk of loss. Loss of principal is possible. Some high risk investments may use leverage, which will accentuate gains & losses. Foreign investing involves special risks, including a greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods.A security’s or a firm’s past investment performance is not a guarantee or predictor of future investment performance.Thoughtful Money and the Thoughtful Money logo are trademarks of Thoughtful Money LLC.Copyright © 2026 Thoughtful Money LLC. All rights reserved.

The Administration tells us that a new "Golden Age" for the American economy is now underway, and that we should see substantial material incremental GDP growth this year from the policies it has put in place through acts like the One Big Beautiful Bill, tax relief, deregulation, tariffs and new trade deals purported to bring $trillions of new foreign investment into the US.Today's guest, however, is much more skeptical of the promise of these policies as well as the overall prospects for the economy.And now the US is at war with Iran. How will that impact the situation?For guidance, we turn to highly-respected economist & award-winning researcher David Rosenberg, founder & president of Rosenberg Research.LAST CHANCE! REGISTER FOR THOUGHTFUL MONEY'S SPRING ONLINE CONFERENCE AT THE EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT PRICE at https://www.thoughtfulmoney.com/conference#bearmarket #marketcorrection #jobs _____________________________________________ Thoughtful Money LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor Promoter.We produce educational content geared for the individual investor. It’s important to note that this content is NOT investment advice, individual or otherwise, nor should be construed as such.We recommend that most investors, especially if inexperienced, should consider benefiting from the direction and guidance of a qualified financial advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities regulators who can develop & implement a personalized financial plan based on a customer’s unique goals, needs & risk tolerance.IMPORTANT NOTE: There are risks associated with investing in securities.Investing in stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, money market funds, and other types of securities involve risk of loss. Loss of principal is possible. Some high risk investments may use leverage, which will accentuate gains & losses. Foreign investing involves special risks, including a greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods.A security’s or a firm’s past investment performance is not a guarantee or predictor of future investment performance.Thoughtful Money and the Thoughtful Money logo are trademarks of Thoughtful Money LLC.Copyright © 2026 Thoughtful Money LLC. All rights reserved.

Graphene is a 2-dimensional variety of the element carbonIt's what's know as a carbon "allotrope" consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms tightly bound in a hexagonal honeycomb lattice.Graphene is known for its exceptionally high tensile strength, electrical conductivity, transparency, and being the thinnest two-dimensional material in the world.Despite the nearly transparent nature of a single graphene sheet, graphite (formed from stacked layers of graphene) appears black because it absorbs all visible light wavelengths.On a microscopic scale, graphene is the strongest material ever measured.Graphene is a versatile, ultra-strong, and highly conductive material used to enhance batteries (faster charging), create durable anti-corrosion coatings, develop flexible electronics, improve solar panel efficiency, and advance biomedical applications like drug delivery.It acts as a super-material additive in composites, strengthening everything from tennis rackets to car tires.To discuss the coming graphene revolution, we have the good fortune to talk with Kjirstin Breure, President and Chief Executive Officer of HydroGraph Clean PowerSCHEDULE YOUR FREE PORTFOLIO REVIEW with Thoughtful Money's endorsed financial advisors at https://www.thoughtfulmoney.com#graphene #graphenecoating #hydrograph_____________________________________________ Thoughtful Money LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor Promoter.We produce educational content geared for the individual investor. It’s important to note that this content is NOT investment advice, individual or otherwise, nor should be construed as such.We recommend that most investors, especially if inexperienced, should consider benefiting from the direction and guidance of a qualified financial advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities regulators who can develop & implement a personalized financial plan based on a customer’s unique goals, needs & risk tolerance.IMPORTANT NOTE: There are risks associated with investing in securities.Investing in stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, money market funds, and other types of securities involve risk of loss. Loss of principal is possible. Some high risk investments may use leverage, which will accentuate gains & losses. Foreign investing involves special risks, including a greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods.A security’s or a firm’s past investment performance is not a guarantee or predictor of future investment performance.Thoughtful Money and the Thoughtful Money logo are trademarks of Thoughtful Money LLC.Copyright © 2026 Thoughtful Money LLC. All rights reserved.