So when do the Arabs use their BIG weapon?

[Toots]

Cut off all oil supplies. Israel can't fly those bombers without jet fuel and America can't kill thousands more innocents without gasoline and oil to make their plastic parts from. Arabs do truly possess a Big Weapon but have not yet used it. I think the time is approaching that will change.

[MercutioATC]

1. This is a more realistic scenario now than it ever has been.

With China's economy (and their need for petroleum) growing, OPEC would have a much easier time cutting off supplies to the west. Didn't I read that Venezuela has already drastically reduced oil exports to the U.S.?

[ladjf]

12. I don't think Venezuela has reduced it's oil exports to the U.S.

The recent news was that they are going to stop supplying Citgo stations with oil that they had to purchase on the market. They will only sell what their U.S. refineries can produce.

[JCMach1]

2. Gulf Arab States are US proxies and allies... no danger there

The elites there cannot remain in control without the backing of the US for the long-term.

[Junkdrawer]

6. The Saudis have condemned Hezbollah for the current violence...

And they're the swing producers. (BTW: They just LOVE the spike in oil prices.)

[notadmblnd]

3. I think Israel has anticipated the oil spout being turned off

there was an article here yesterday saying they have requested that the US sell them jet fuel.

[liberal N proud]

7. And the regime would hand it over even if it cost the citizens of the US

They would give Israel gas from US supplies driving the price even higher here as well as lower supply.
The would also give them Jet Fuel at the cost of US travelers.

Oh Israel!

[bronxiteforever]

4. we are already paying a price

for an Administration that has a immoral and foolish energy plan to go along with a immoral and foolish foreign policy-our paper here in pa had a headline today "war could bring recession"-so much for the shrub economic mission accomplished of this month-but you are right further oil problems and it is 5 dollars a gallon

[Toots]

5. I think the day is not far off when five dollars a gallon will look good

If Iran stops it oil flow as they have threatened to do five dollars will look mighty good and even ten will seem fine.

[bronxiteforever]

9. you have that right!

and when we play with Iran we play with China (who owns large parts of the USA now) since Iran is now partners with China in China's largest oil deal-rule number one-don't have an idiot play the great game against smarter opponents-this is the price we pay for a man who mocks the study of history and cultures as a unmanly and a waste of time-where oh where are JFK and FDR now?

[tocqueville]

8. it won't work for several reasons

#1 the Hezbollah and its allies are shiites. The Saudis already took sides against them. Sunnis will complain but not move a finger.
#2 80% of the Israeli imported oil comes from Russia (who needs the cash)
#3 US congress is not going to turn down a fuel request from Israel

the Hezbollah best card is to tell their shiite friends in Iraq to kick out the US. There is the real weak spot.
It will probably happen if the fighting continues or if Iran is attacked.

[earthside]

10. There Will Always Be Fuel for War

Sorry to say ... the rest of us may suffer terrible economic consequences ... but from the smallest terror cell to the gigantic U.S. military-industrial complex, the appropriation of gasoline for fighting and killing will always take place.

However, if this current conflict careens out of control, I can envision Iran and Saudi Arabia cutting oil exports in the hope that domestic political pressure in the U.S. and Europe will cause us to restrain Israel. I am not hopeful at this time, however, that that would work. Already the mainstream media seems to be catching war-fever again.

How many times in the last 24 hours have I heard that Iran really should have been the main target in the 'war on terror' in the first place and now may be the time to finally take them out?

Why are so many human beings so easily manipulated to support war and violence and revenge?

Really, why do we never, ever seem to learn the futility of war?

[Laotra]

11. Where does Israel get it's oil from?

http://www.slate.com/id/2145704/