This year marks the most critical sequence of events in financial history. We’re witnessing the greatest shock to the system. There’s no way to be sure of the final outcome yet, but the world will certainly be a different place after all is said and done.

As I browsed Lehman Brothers’ Web site a few days ago, I came across fertile material for fans of irony: “The history of Lehman Brothers parallels the growth of the United States and its energetic drive toward prosperity and international prominence.”

In August 2006, New York University economist Nouriel Roubini predicted a subprime crisis and subsequent recession. In September of that year, he burdened a gathering of the International Monetary Fund with his bearishness. And Roubini was profiled in a recent New York Times Magazine feature headlined “Dr. Doom.”

Following is an excerpt from a recent company press release.

We’re still far off recent highs, and plenty of risk remains, but the Asian rally is still running strong.

Plenty of supposed smart-money players have ignored China’s instructive trends.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2008 is a year of danger. And although superstition isn’t good company for an investor, last year was quite rewarding, just as the Chinese Zodiac forecast.

Investors are starting to panic. But if the market deterioration accelerates, the opportunity to buy into Asia will be comparable to that of 2001. Back then, I recommended Asian stocks to only a handful of investors who cared to listen. Luckily, the recommendations played out quite well, and I’m expecting the same outcome this time around.

The largest oil exporters are the Middle East, the former Soviet Union (FSU) and Africa. The Middle East alone accounts for nearly 36 percent of global oil exports; the FSU and Africa each account for roughly 15 percent. These three regions taken together are responsible for two-thirds of global oil trade.

June has traditionally been a weak month for Asian investment. On the other hand, staying away from the market from May until the end of August--as the old adage suggests--hasn’t been very rewarding either. During the summer months, bargains arise and portfolios can be positioned for the customarily stronger periods in Asian markets, namely late September through late January.