[semaj]

Got news for you. Destroying the middle east oil supply will not destroy the entire world economy, as there are know massive oil reserves in other places besides the middle east. Mind you, what you describe would definitely hurt markets worldwide, but it would not bring about the Armageddon the author fears. These untapped reserves would be able to supply the worlds economy for hundreds of years. Don't take my word for it though.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

One scenario that has been tossed about is a radiological or "dirty" bomb detonated on a ship within the Persian Gulf. The implication is that you would shut down that waterway for decades. Whether that is true from a technical point of view, I can't say, but the Gulf is most certainly a choke point.