[Old Teufel Hunden]

"With the Russian economy cratering, it might be time for Putin to prop up oil prices and his own image by starting a war. Iran may do the same."

That is my fear also. Russia rolling tanks into her former satallite neighbors. Iran could try to close off the Straits of Hormuz which would entail a Naval war on the level of Operation Preying Mantiss. I'm not as worried about Iran because we know how that little sea battle in the 80's turned out and they are weaker now than then. However, Russia rolling her tanks into countries could be a major problem and something we should be cognizant of.

[fatez]

It wouldn’t take much to reverse the trend in oil pricing, shutting down the Strait, taking out a few Iraqi, Saudi Arabian or and Kuwaiti facilities would have a nice ripple effect. Putin knows rumors of wars are good for black gold, I think we will definitely see some saber rattling at a minimum...