But in 2007, based upon the average F.O.B. price paid for world oil and their exports, that was 6% of their GDP.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rs.html#Econ
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_imc1_k_a.htm
Assuming a their price of oil rose the same average percentage that WTI did on the NYMEX, add 38% to the 2007 data for 2008. (2008 world prices are not compete in data collection and posted results)
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_fut_s1_a.htm
I'm not sure how much if any their 2008 exports climbed, but this still probably reached at the most 10% of their GDP.
It has helped, but they were far from insignificant in World Politics without this.
fairly harmless, with exception of a thousand nuke missiles
Fairly harmless, except for their ability to destroy much of the world's population... yeah, about that harmless.
I remember rejoicing when Russia cut their foreign aid to Cuba. We thought for sure Cuba would collapse completely. I’ve been wrong about a lot of things :)