Posted on 02/10/2015 9:53:05 PM PST by lbryce
A week ago we explained that yet another conspiracy theory, one involving virtually every geopolitical hotzone, from Saudi Arabia, to Russia, the United States, Qatar, Syria, ISIS, and Ukraine, has become fact when our speculation from last September, namely that the plunge in oil was an choreographed move between the US and the Saudis (even if Kerry realized - we hope - that it meant a recession for the US energy producing states and a collapse in the only vibrant US industry of the past decade: shale), one seeking to dislodge Russian control over the Syrian government and to facilitate the passage of a Qatar pipeline under Syrian territory.
This is what the NYT said: "Saudi Arabia has been trying to pressure President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to abandon his support for President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, using its dominance of the global oil markets at a time when the Russian government is reeling from the effects of plummeting oil prices."
The NYT added:
Saudi Arabia and Russia have had numerous discussions over the past several months that have yet to produce a significant breakthrough, according to American and Saudi officials. It is unclear how explicitly Saudi officials have linked oil to the issue of Syria during the talks, but Saudi officials say — and they have told the United States — that they think they have some leverage over Mr. Putin because of their ability to reduce the supply of oil and possibly drive up prices. That's the quo. As for the quid, it is as we predicted:
(Excerpt) Read more at zerohedge.com ...
I also hear that refineries shut down some for maintenance activities, and also because they are starting to reformulate their gasoline for summer driving conditions.
The Qatari gas pipeline to Europe would provide direct competition to the Russian gas pipeline to Europe as well as Iranian gas sold to Europe via Russian pipelines.
I just don’t see any possible outcome given the current state of the region and any possible turn of events where the pipeline might be constructed.
If Assad falls the rebels will take over and chaos ensues, pipeline is improbable.
If Assad prevails the Russian’s have their way and the pipeline is not built.
As I said before, unless OPEC is willing to raise an army and get their hands dirty in this civil war there is little chance that they will start construction of the pipeline in our lifetime.
The only way the I think pipeline happens is some interested party (OPEC) finances the rebels just enough to permit them to overthrow of Assad then brings in overwhelming force to take control of the country while the rebels are weakened.
Of course Iran would not be pleased and would probably enter the fight. So there is a good chance that it could spark a regional war.
Oh I guess if the NYT said it, it must be true.
Regime change all over the globe has been about oil and bending to the will of Saudi and banking global masters. The arrogance has been (and still is) that the new govs will be stable ones under their control. They created ISIS; I'm not totally convinced it's an unintended consequence.
Everything that was described as conspiracy theory is true. The sick irony is that Obama supports these policies elsewhere but blocks Keystone in the US.
“The oil industry should flex is muscle and keep gas price high regardless of crude oil market.”
Very un-free market like comment.
The “cheap” gas/diesel now is about the only bright spot is most peoples lives (financially speaking) right now. And it is about the only thing keeping me from going into negative bank account territory since each paycheck is being eaten up by bills every two weeks.
All part of the greater plan to destroy the economic might of the United States.
The United States is an evil colonialist power that must be destroyed.
Obama was raised with these thoughts and believes them whole heartedly.
The fact that this doesn't happen outside the US within far more corrupt countries shows supply and demand really work.
Indeed, nasty little buggers.
That makes as much sense as Hitler’s dubbing his offensive missiles “vengeance weapons”. It also shows just how “free market” the repulsive dictator and murderer Putin actually is.
Thanks lbryce.
Iran’s got 19,000 troops in Syria (for over three years now), has thousands more Hezbollah (their proxy thugs from Lebanon, and hasn’t gotten things done at all. The Syrian civil war is as bad as it has ever been, right now. It’s almost as if it’s an Iranian strategy to avoid having that pipeline built, and Iran and Russia are allies. Huh. Remarkable coincidences.
And the Turks — they have pipelines across their territory, moving Iranian hydrocarbons to Med ports. But gosh, I’ve never heard anything about their involvement in the Syrian civil war.
I just wish we could come up with a reason that no one has made any meaningful steps to bring that particular war to a relatively peaceful conclusion.
If we were really earnest in depriving Russia of oil revenue, along with the Saudis, we wouldn’t have just shut off the Alaska Wildlife refuge and most offshore areas to oil drilling.
The Saudis are on their own.
I can’t understand why these people wiser than myself don’t take out a map and see that a strong stable Syria is all there is between ISIS and access to the Med. They assume they can bring the terrorist beast back under their control?
Just like their African Bruthas, just a reassuring touch to confirm da junk still there.
This ISIS bunch is a Saudi puppet to confront Iran. That is one reason nobama’s hits on ISIS have been so puny.
Sheer terrorism works! Maybe the Saudis figure they can control ISIS once Iraq and Syria are ISIS. Bet they can because money talks.
Do you doubt for a minute that Muslim Arabs are ruthless enough to believe that they can?
Other than buying off the Russians, what do you suggest? Zero is doing his best with ozone and methane regulations.
As to the tolerance of our globalist banksters for death and mayhem, particularly against Christians, consider this little icon the Rothschilds just constructed and what it tells you about that concern.
“Unions playing OPEC cartel redux. There is no end in the trail of oil price extortion and gauging.”
I am underwhelmed by the “classlessness” of our “citizenry.” But then they have elected people “in their own image,” so the circle is complete. Trash begetting trash. If we were then as we are today, We would have lost to both Germany and Japan because people are too selfish to expend any energy to keep our country safe.
“Very un-free market like comment.
The “cheap” gas/diesel now is about the only bright spot is most peoples lives (financially speaking) right now. And it is about the only thing keeping me from going into negative bank account territory since each paycheck is being eaten up by bills every two weeks.”
Sounds like your demand for gas is pretty inelastic. So, why should businesses be barred from taking that opportunity to charge more? Why is gubmint in the business of preventing businesses from profiting from the opportunity?
The only thing that is anti free-market is the gubmint trying to influence the market by preventing businesses from sharing market strategies.
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