Re: Hubbert

[Chris Burford <cburford@xxxxxxxxxx>]

At 06/11/01 15:01 -0800, you wrote:


>  http://www.prospect.org/print/V12/18/deffeyes-k.html


> I suspect that the OPEC countries know that a global shortage may be only
> a few years away; and if they can trickle out just enough oil to keep the
> world economies functioning until that glorious day, they can market their
> remaining crude at mind-boggling prices.


It is now clear that Saudi Arabia's fundamentalist version of islam
includes a discreet widespread tolerance for islamic militancy and even
terrorism. Should we assume that leading circles in the regime, like the
Crown Prince, are indeed quietly thinking along the lines indicated above?

Is this already shifting the power relations during the War against
Terrorism, so that Bush realises he cannot confront the Saudi government
and will have to try to win it over with substantial concessions by Israel?

This is the sense in which the war is a war about global oil supplies,
played out by proxy.

> the realization that the change is permanent may be as devastating as the
> shortage itself.


Chris Burford

London