[neverdem]

Here's a grim what if back at them. What if we do nothing and let the Shiites and Sunni fight to the death sucking in all Arab nations and a nuclear Iran?

We and our allies have to be energy self sufficient before that strategy is employed.

[American in Israel]

We can learn to be energy independent a lot easier than we can learn to live in a radioactive wasteland.

Might just have to choose at this rate.

[SampleMan]

We and our allies have to be energy self sufficient before that strategy is employed.

Actually, we just need access to the oil fields. Having said that though, China, Japan, and Europe are far more dependent than we on ME oil. They may reap the whirlwind for the troubles they have fostered or ignored.

If gas goes to $10/gal, I think the United States could and would cut consumption in half through change in habits, and we produce that much oil. I don't think the rest of the world has that margin of discretionary use.

I'm just speaking out of the frustration of being one of the few countries to try to attempt real positive change in the ME.