The problem with U.S. involvement in regime change is that the U.S. doesn't look for leaders who are good for the country; they look for leaders who the U.S. can control and will go along with U.S. interests in the region.

Iran is the perfect example. The U.S. led the overthrow of the democratically-elected Prime Minister Mosaddegh and installed their 'puppet,' the Shah who was a violent tyrant the people of Iran eventually overthrew, installing the current theocratic republic. The current Iranian regime is anti-American -- understandable given the history.

There is a rogues gallery of other examples, but I doubt your readers have the time or the stomach for a review.

George Santayana said: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. U.S. foreign policy seems to be governed by those that have either never taken a history course or have forgotten those lessons.

Two questions: First, should the U.S. operate as a global puppet master? Second, is the U.S. even any good at it?

Your Rundown for Friday Jan. 10, 2020

The Games We Play

E-sports is expected to undergo phenomenal growth in the coming years -- from both a viewership and monetization standpoint, says a report from DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

Game developers are predominantly the biggest beneficiaries given that they are involved in almost every facet of e-Sports -- from games publishing to the creation of leagues and the hosting of tournaments.

For those late to the party, heres an e-sports primer: Video gamers from around the world compete on teams to win tournaments with, at times, multi-million dollar prizes.

Professional gamers can even get sponsorship money akin to an NBA stars sneaker endorsement. Think thats out of the box? Universitys are now offering degree programs in e-sports medicine and psychology. Wild.

And investors in this nascent industry are already turning a profit

The MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index is up 47% since the end of 2018, compared with the S&P 500s 31% advance, says an article at Bloomberg.

Some of the biggest, most lucrative companies in e-sports? Activision Blizzard Inc., Nintendo Co. and Tencent Holdings Ltd.

Market Rundown for Friday, Jan. 10, 2020

S&P 500 futures are pat at 3,277.

Oils down 39 cents to $59.17 for a barrel of WTI.

Gold, too, is stalled at $1,554.30 per ounce.

Bitcoins up 1% to $7,943.96.

Have a fantastic weekend; well continue the discussion Monday.

For the Rundown,

Aaron Gentzler