June 02, 2004
The Saudi's, Oil, and Empire
Printable Version | [eMail this article!] |Well crude prices jumped again as attacks continue in Saudia Arabia. The attacks are focused on non-Saudi oil workers. More than a few are considering leaving the country, and the US has told its civilian citizens to leave. There are two issues here (beyond the violoence and death) that deserve some thought. First is the hints that these attacks may bring down the Saudi economy and rock the House of Saud, and second what ongoing oil price increases may mean for the US.
I have heard here and there on late night news shows that the recent series of attacks may rock the House of Saud, and even collapse the Saudi economy. The fall of the royal family is sure to have dramatic effects on the Bush family which is so closely linked to them. It could also have dramatic effects on the US as the major global oil consumer. First through the influence of the Saudi's in OPEC, and there willingness to pump more oil for the US. If the ongoing attacks significantly decrease the Saudi output, or dramatically increase the cost, the US economy may be in for a long uphill pull.
With both of these threats, how might the Bush neo-cons react? Would they go so far as to intervene militarily to support the Royal Family? Would the public buy it? I am afraid that many would if gas goes high enough, and the cost increases associated with that (food and goods), then the public might indeed support such a move. It would be an even worse mistake than invading Iraq in terms of fanning the flames of anger at the US. I am sure that intervention would be sold as being in the US "national interest."
I hate to think that the US public could be manipulated into another impossible resource war to the benefit of those who are already over the moon with the spoils of the "war on terrorism," but I'm in a grim emough mood to think they might.
I do hope that my cynicism is getting the better of me. I'd like to hear you thoughts on this. All of you are braod readers with good analytic skills. What are your thoughts?
Posted by rowan at June 2, 2004 05:58 AM | TrackBack | Printable Version | [eMail this article!] |I'm not quite sure what the reasons for the attacks on the foreign oil workers in Saudi Arabia are, but the thought of the possibility of furthering military conflict in the middle east is't good in my opinion.
Posted by: Larry at June 2, 2004 02:07 PMI think America might be cynical and untrusting enough at this point to question Bush a little more thoroughly. At least I hope so.
If the United States did get involved, my guess is that other countries might suddenly become fed up with our current administration and engage in a war against whatever Mr. Bush has in mind. Ready for another world war?