( Tweet ) Norman Ornstein @NormOrnstein: The Saudi's are not our ally

[BeckyDem]

Link to tweet

Excerpt: 2/15/2022


Even if the Saudis are genuinely concerned about adhering to OPEC Plus, there are other ways they could bring down oil prices but are refusing to do so, experts say. “[OPEC Plus is] not an issue,” Samir Madani, a Saudi oil analyst and co-founder of Tanker Trackers, told The Intercept. “The Saudis can make or break the oil market simply by deciding what to ship out to the U.S.” Without even touching production levels, the kingdom could simply choose to export larger quantities of oil that has already been produced to the U.S., Madani explained.

As it stands, gas prices are at their highest level in seven years. The issue has become such an acute concern to Democrats that White House and top Democratic lawmakers are reportedly considering a federal gas tax holiday. Despite the obvious concerns, Biden has largely avoided blaming Saudi Arabia publicly, but in October, he alluded to his refusal to meet directly with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as connected to the refusal to pump more oil. “There’s a lot of Middle Eastern folks who want to talk to me. I’m not sure I’m going to talk to them,” Biden said at a CNN town hall. It’s no secret that MBS favored the Trump administration, having claimed to have Trump’s son-in-law and top aide Jared Kushner “in his pocket.” When President Donald Trump requested an increase in oil production just prior to the 2018 midterm elections and later to decrease oil production to protect the domestic shale industry, MBS complied.

https://theintercept.com/2022/02/15/saudi-arabia-gas-price-oil/


( Saudi Royals were never our friends. )

[Walleye]

1. Any country that treats women like second-class citizens should not be our ally. Period

[Beausoleil]

5. Not to mention using bone saws on live journalists n/t

[Carlitos Brigante]

7. Oh, why are you bringing up

"old stuff"? It was just that one time.....

[Walleye]

9. That too!.

[lapfog_1]

2. It is long past time to go "green energy" only

and stop all arms shipments and monetary support of the Saudis.

[BeckyDem]

3. Yep. Long overdue for the planet.

[CanonRay]

4. I've been saying that since the 70s.

With "friends" like them, we don't need enemies

[Carlitos Brigante]

6. Totally irrelevant. But I would've expected Norm Ornstein to know how to use an apostrophe. nt

[OnDoutside]

8. The US need to reopen the kashoggi case

[Ferrets are Cool]

10. It's been a long, long time since they were an "ally"