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May 10, 2008
An oil-addicted ex-superpower
By Michael T Klare
Nineteen years ago, the fall of the Berlin Wall effectively eliminated the Soviet Union as the world's other superpower. Yes, the USSR as a political entity stumbled on for another two years, but it was clearly an ex-superpower from the moment it lost control over its satellites in Eastern Europe.
Less than a month ago, the United States similarly lost its claim to superpower status when a barrel of crude oil roared past US$110 on the international market, gasoline prices crossed the $3.50 threshold at American pumps, and diesel fuel topped $4. As was true of the USSR following the dismantling of the Berlin Wall, the US will no doubt continue to stumble on like the superpower it once was; but as the nation's economy continues to be eviscerated to pay for its daily oil fix, it, too, will be seen by increasing numbers of savvy observers as an ex-superpower-in-the-making.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/JE10Dj05.html
According to the recent Asia Times, the US is on it's last leg of being a superpower. The interesting thing about this article was it claimed America was spending billions on oil and billions on rebuilding Iraq but the money was being deposited in other than American banks. Not good.
Also, that those with that money (many Arab/Muslim countries) were buying "cherry-picked" assets in America. not good.
And that Saudi Arabia/etal, which has a vested interest in making sure America stops Iran from getting too powerful in the region, won't even give us a discount on oil... charging our war machine full price to help defend them. Nor will Iraq give our troops/military defending their country a discount on fuel.....
Interesting article- that raises some interesting questions.....