General Discussion

leveymg

(36,418 posts)

66. More oil off the world market, spot prices rise, it's good for the Saudis and bad for us.

Sat Dec 8, 2012, 03:34 PM

Dec 2012

Last edited Sat Dec 8, 2012, 04:12 PM - Edit history (1)

They can't lose with greater instability and threats of a wider Mideast war. If political crisis in Egypt adds to the risk premium built into the price of oil, the Saudis will make money. Same thing goes for embargoes of Iranian crude, and the growing threat of war with Iran. The worse MENA violence rises (so long as it doesn't take out the Saudi pipeline terminals), and the more nervous Americans are about it, the better.

Basically, the same dynamic favors the Israelis - if the Sunnis take out the Shi'ia, splendid. If Egypt is all tied up in internal political strife, the less energy and focus the Egyptians have on Israel.

Wars and threats of war make unnatural allies. Americans are the ones who pay, and pay, and pay . . . which makes foreign acquisitions here cheaper. A virtuous cycle, for some.

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Highlight:

Highlights from Egypt, Dec 8 2012 (Part 1) Martial Law [View all] Catherina Dec 2012 OP

"And let’s be honest: The Obama administration has been Morsi’s main enabler." Catherina Dec 2012 #1

Taking sides in Intra-Muslim wars and alliances has been the undoing of US power and policy in MENA. leveymg Dec 2012 #7

With imperialism, the second verse is same as the first...... socialist_n_TN Dec 2012 #17

The term that's used for the unwelcome consequences of that is "blowback". leveymg Dec 2012 #18

thank you for keeping us updated. babydollhead Dec 2012 #2

Thank you for reading them :) n/t Catherina Dec 2012 #4

So there was a meeting with Morsi today Catherina Dec 2012 #3

Major opposition players did not attend Catherina Dec 2012 #6

Morsi has left the national dialogue session, left it to the VP to manage. Catherina Dec 2012 #9

Prominent writer, often described as moderate islamist, Fahmi Howeidi has left after minutes Catherina Dec 2012 #11

reports claim he left due to "prior engagements," which is quite strange.... Catherina Dec 2012 #12

I'm finally catching up on this! Starry Messenger Dec 2012 #5

And I'm falling totally behind today Catherina Dec 2012 #8

I'm sooooo dreaming that the military stands down and honors the will of the secular democrats. nt Zorra Dec 2012 #10

MB claiming dead protesters were MB members Catherina Dec 2012 #13

MB: we'll not allow revolution to be hijacked again, have tapes that show regional & global conspir Catherina Dec 2012 #14

Apparently it's no longer "Israel and the US" but the Gulf States and Mubaratchiks Catherina Dec 2012 #15

Perhaps, the Saudis/GCC are in partial alignment with the US and Israel? Isn't that the Old Regime? leveymg Dec 2012 #21

Well what makes no sense is that Morsi's their man Catherina Dec 2012 #25

We would attempt to coopt Mohammed himself. But the efforts to coopt Morsi are not coherent leveymg Dec 2012 #50

Thank you. I agree with what you wrote Catherina Dec 2012 #56

More oil off the world market, spot prices rise, it's good for the Saudis and bad for us. leveymg Dec 2012 #66

seriously depressing n/t Catherina Dec 2012 #67

See post 35 Catherina Dec 2012 #36

The Saudis are always so damn obvious. They're helpless without Bushies to show them how to do it. leveymg Dec 2012 #54

I was really expecting more finesse. I guess they're in too much of a rush n/t Catherina Dec 2012 #55

Egypt's army will not allow violence, says armed forces spokesperson Catherina Dec 2012 #16

VIDEO: Marches converge at Presidential Palace (today) Catherina Dec 2012 #19

MB posts video torturing protesters, then confesses to spying on opposition & secretly recording Catherina Dec 2012 #20

Morsy bows out of national dialogue to ensure neutrality Catherina Dec 2012 #22

How do you see this all ending up? oberliner Dec 2012 #23

I don't see this going anywhere good sadly Catherina Dec 2012 #29

Thank you for sharing those insights oberliner Dec 2012 #32

My gut feeling and observations Catherina Dec 2012 #37

Another sad answer to you Catherina Dec 2012 #39

That is, indeed, a sad answer oberliner Dec 2012 #40

I'd really like that too! Catherina Dec 2012 #49

Thank you for this Catherina. polly7 Dec 2012 #42

I hope for one too but I'm not holding my breath Catherina Dec 2012 #43

VIDEO - Army builds concrete wall in front of the presidential palace Catherina Dec 2012 #24

Ex-MP accuses Muslim Brotherhood of assaulting him Catherina Dec 2012 #26

Saudi official: Gulf cannot 'tolerate' unrest Catherina Dec 2012 #27

Good AM PST Catherina - Union Scribe re-opened the closed thread?? PufPuf23 Dec 2012 #28

Egyptian Demonstration in Toronto Blasts U.S. for Supporting “Dictator Morsi” Catherina Dec 2012 #30

Is Mursi Obama's "b-tch" in that placard? oberliner Dec 2012 #33

Yes... it's a sign that's been seen a lot in Egypt too Catherina Dec 2012 #41

So the people protesting against Morsi do not want to keep the peace deal with Israel? oberliner Dec 2012 #45

No, that's not what I meant. I can't speak for them Catherina Dec 2012 #61

OK - got it oberliner Dec 2012 #74

That means a lot. Thanks O n/t Catherina Dec 2012 #75

New public prosecutor: keep 'arrested' in jail after morsi speech so as not to "embarrass him". Catherina Dec 2012 #31

Egypt's president in national dialogue, opposition attendance feeble Catherina Dec 2012 #34

Saudi Embassy distributing pamphlets with draft constitution written on saying 'VOTE YES' Catherina Dec 2012 #35

Salafis demand closure of secualar, liberal media organs. Catherina Dec 2012 #38

What kind of support do the Salafis have there? oberliner Dec 2012 #46

The Saudis/GCC probably have more money in the game than we do at this point. See #25. leveymg Dec 2012 #51

Are the Salafis controlled by the Saudis? oberliner Dec 2012 #76

Where does influence and funding end, and control start? leveymg Dec 2012 #85

Analysts saying that military statement today means that if EVERY1 does not find solution, they will Catherina Dec 2012 #44

National Association for Change NAC press conference Catherina Dec 2012 #47

White house protest against Morsi Catherina Dec 2012 #48

Why anti-Mursi protesters are right Catherina Dec 2012 #52

It's "Morsi" and there's better MI5 propagandaon BBC.co.uk allrevvedup Dec 2012 #53

UK tried that in '56, and all they got for their trouble was reinstatement of gas rationing. leveymg Dec 2012 #57

Plus ça change. . . allrevvedup Dec 2012 #62

"until Egypt is just another over-mortgaged African basket case" Catherina Dec 2012 #63

Take a bow. n/t allrevvedup Dec 2012 #65

Pic: Pharoah In front of the Presidential Palace Catherina Dec 2012 #58

Morsi to issue a new decree today. n/t Catherina Dec 2012 #59

Interview with Yehya Negma, former Egy ambassador in Venezuela, severely tortured by MB Catherina Dec 2012 #60

3 major developments: new const. decl. underway, Salafists besieging media outlets, general strike Catherina Dec 2012 #64

PM Kandil will announce a constitutional declaration soon to end the political tension Catherina Dec 2012 #68

CNN grossly inflates the pro-Mosti numbers Catherina Dec 2012 #69

New constitutional declaration to be issued within hours Catherina Dec 2012 #70

MB channel claiming the church was bussing thugs (protesters) with weapons Catherina Dec 2012 #71

Cracks in the MB. MB Beltagy won't play along with these lies about armed masses and church busses Catherina Dec 2012 #72

MB channel peddling some particularly reprehensible sectarian garbage right now. Catherina Dec 2012 #73

I would love to ask Beltagy or Misr 25: Catherina Dec 2012 #77

airs dangerous sectarian language like this and then acts confused about minorities not trusting Catherina Dec 2012 #79

Breaking: Morsy's decree cancelled, constitutional referendum to take place on time Catherina Dec 2012 #78

Press conference on Const Declaration & Referendum - details Catherina Dec 2012 #80

referendum's threshold is simple majority (50.1%), much too low for a constitution Catherina Dec 2012 #82

BREAKING: Morsi cancels executive immunity decree Catherina Dec 2012 #81

Morsi cancels temporary power grab, insists on vote on permanent power grab enabled by temporary po Catherina Dec 2012 #83

Continuing Part 2 here Catherina Dec 2012 #84