Nevertheless, it remains within their power to substantially affect the price of oil by reducing its flow and for the capitalist West that is as good as actually cutting off the oil. We have seen how the power to even threaten such a cut off has had its effect in Western Europe when done by the Russians. The health of our economies is dependent on reasonably priced oil. America alone cannot supply the Western world's need and so the price will skyrocket. Western economies will tank and there will be multiple defections from a united West not to mention in Latin America and Asia.
Greatly to be feared is some sort of an alliance between Russia and China, especially respecting energy, which might be extended to the Arab oil-producing world. Another version of the same, Germany chooses to align itself with Russia and China and a new axis is formed.
The chessboard becomes a Rubik's cube when energy is introduced.
