"The ideal outcome for Russia is exactly the same as that for Saudi Arabia and OPEC, i.e. maintenance of the status quo and the sanctions regime on Iraqi oil. Thus, Russia's opposition to a U.S. invasion of Iraq is completely rational."
Less oil from country "x", country "y's" oil becomes more valuable. This is especially true in a cartel market, where even those outside the cartel cooperate (Russia somewhat, Norway, Mexico)
Sanctions and pipeline bombings easier to do that backroom negotiations at OPEC meetings...I'd bet those can get hairy!
This article is an example of OPEC's effort at the time to change Russian thinking about increasing exports and become stronger against the Iraq war - despite US promises about debt payments and such.
BTW, Fegelhauer (?) at Moscow Times commented later that this was the reason for Putin's strong opposition to the war - though he didn't know at the time of the Al Mada oil voucher list!
This sure is a lonely thread... :)
The long-term interests of the US dictate that we shift towards nuke power and energy independence