I know most Americans are against intervention in Syria. And it makes sense. Why risk American lives to help the rebels who could eventually turn against us? But there's one thing that most Americans are missing. It's has to do with OIL. Currently, the situation in Syria is worsening. Eventually, I believe it will turn into a huge World War in the Middle East. Millions of fighters from different sects will join the fight. If that were to happen gas prices will SKYROCKET. Don't be surprised if Americans end up paying $10 a gallon or more for gasoline. That would be devastating to the economy and could result in a huge economic collapse. Gas prices are linked to everything including consumer spending and the price we pay for things at the store. Lots of companies will lay off workers to make up for their additional shipping costs. They'll also raise their prices. This will cause problems in all areas. So those of you who think that ignoring the war in Syria won't have an effect on your personal lives, think again. And by the way, half the reason why Putin supports the war in Syria is because oil is their main export. If the price of crude oil skyrockets Russia will hugely benefit from this. The other reason is obviously because Assad is Russia's ally. But that's beside the point.
I beg to differ ... you see, oil is a commodity sold on the global markets ... as the price goes up their is less consumption ... then the price is driven down until it reaches an equilibrium based on supply and demand and at what price the market can bear.
The rebels can't lose. There are millions more to take the place of those who are injured or killed. By arming the rebels, you're simply evening out the casualties on both sides.
There is less consumption. And what does that do to the economy? It effects consumer spending. Consumers spend less when they drive less. Higher gas prices also effect the price of products due to higher shipping costs. This also means less consumer spending. Less consumer spending means less jobs all across the world.
I love it. One side claims that Bush invaded Iraq to get oil, and the other side claims that Obama's decision for arming the Syrian Rebels is to drive oil prices up. Obama's decision is based on only one fact. He needs people to concentrate on something other then all his scandals.
But this is the biggest scandal of all. I don't think that's the motive. Obama doesn't give a (*)(*)(*)(*) how many scandals he racks up. He's a lame duck anyway.
There are millions of potential recruits who are simply standing by watching all of this. It's basic math.
What makes you think that? The purpose of arming the rebels is to even the playing field and to give the rebels a means to protect themselves against the brutality of the regime. Otherwise Assad's troops are going to have a "turkey shoot" with tens of millions of innocent civilians.
From your original post: I do owe you an apology. At first read, I thought you were making the ludicrous statement that Obama was getting the US involved in Syria to drive up oil prices. But now, after rereading it, I realize that you were making a case to support the US involvement in the Syrian Civil War. The basis of that support is based on the fact that you do not have the first clue of what you are talking about. First of all, Syria is nothing but a small time player in the International oil industry. Yes, oil is one of their primary exports, but that is not saying much. Syrian Oil Production peaked in 1996 at 584,304 barrels a day. In 2011, Syria produced an average of 300,210 barrels a day, and 2012 averaged 157,160 barrels a day. That was a loss of 143,050 barrels a day. But in 2011, the total world production was 74,136,000 barrels a day. The loss of Syria's 143,050 barrels amounts to 0.2% of world production. Even if Syria lost all oil production, it would amount to a loss of 0.4% of the world production. Hardly enough to effect the price of oil. http://www.eia.gov/countries/country-data.cfm?fips=SY#pet Next you claim that things were worsening in Syria. What is your proof of that? The only thing that has changed is that Hezbollah has joined the fight on the side of the Syrian Government. That is not a surprise move. Iran has been supplying troops since the beginning, and Iran controls Hezbollah. This was simply a way to commit more troops without having to pull them from Iran. It has turned the tide for a while, but that will change as soon as al Qaeda increases the troops fighting on the side of the rebels. The fact is that, there is no impact to the US for not getting involved. Getting involved, on the other hand, we will be thumbing our nose at Russian and Chinese interests. We need assistance from both these countries in dealing with Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs. Unless, of course, we don't want to settle with each country without going to war. Both Iran and North Korea actually do pose a threat to the US and it's interests. So, to summarize, the Syrian civil war will not effect oil prices, and actually arming the rebels could lead escalation. Not just in Syria, but in Iran and North Korea also. So, you managed to get almost everything backwards. - - - Updated - - - From your original post: I do owe you an apology. At first read, I thought you were making the ludicrous statement that Obama was getting the US involved in Syria to drive up oil prices. But now, after rereading it, I realize that you were making a case to support the US involvement in the Syrian Civil War. The basis of that support is based on the fact that you do not have the first clue of what you are talking about. First of all, Syria is nothing but a small time player in the International oil industry. Yes, oil is one of their primary exports, but that is not saying much. Syrian Oil Production peaked in 1996 at 584,304 barrels a day. In 2011, Syria produced an average of 300,210 barrels a day, and 2012 averaged 157,160 barrels a day. That was a loss of 143,050 barrels a day. But in 2011, the total world production was 74,136,000 barrels a day. The loss of Syria's 143,050 barrels amounts to 0.2% of world production. Even if Syria lost all oil production, it would amount to a loss of 0.4% of the world production. Hardly enough to effect the price of oil. http://www.eia.gov/countries/country-data.cfm?fips=SY#pet Next you claim that things were worsening in Syria. What is your proof of that? The only thing that has changed is that Hezbollah has joined the fight on the side of the Syrian Government. That is not a surprise move. Iran has been supplying troops since the beginning, and Iran controls Hezbollah. This was simply a way to commit more troops without having to pull them from Iran. It has turned the tide for a while, but that will change as soon as al Qaeda increases the troops fighting on the side of the rebels. The fact is that, there is no impact to the US for not getting involved. Getting involved, on the other hand, we will be thumbing our nose at Russian and Chinese interests. We need assistance from both these countries in dealing with Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs. Unless, of course, we don't want to settle with each country without going to war. Both Iran and North Korea actually do pose a threat to the US and it's interests. So, to summarize, the Syrian civil war will not effect oil prices, and actually arming the rebels could lead escalation. Not just in Syria, but in Iran and North Korea also. So, you managed to get almost everything backwards.
Syria doesn't produce enough oil to have the catastrophic effect that the OP suggests will happen. Prices going up a little - sure; prices going up a lot - no.
I believe the three gas prices help decide the price if too many buy the lowest priced gas the price goes up if too many buy the highest priced gas the price goes up .
Yeah but Iraq produces enough oil. Saudi Arabia produces enough oil. You guys are missing my point. This conflict is slowly worsening. It's already spreading into Lebanon. Eventually it will become a huge sectarian war where Sunni, Shia, Allawite, etc. are fighting one another all across the Middle East. It will be like a huge Mafia war where revenge is always on somebody's mind. WHEN this happens down the road our economy will collapse. Gasoline will simply be too expensive for the average person. The price to ship products will be so high that most people won't be able to afford anything other than food, clothing and a few small luxuries. - - - Updated - - - Gas prices are already going up right now. And this is a relatively small conflict.
I don't think a widespread sectarian conflict in the Middle East and Gulf is that likely, but it is worth worrying about since the consequences would be bad. I'd put it more in the "monitor the situation and update contingency plans" category. P.S. - I agree with you about the trade deficit and would add the artificially high value of the US Dollar due to its status as the de facto world currency. If we ever have both blow up in our faces it will make the Great Depression look like a fun time.
