THE END OF AN ERA

Once upon a time the Arab world was the place of romantic myths about princes on white horses, beautiful dancing maidens and mysterious tales of adventure under the stars. The discovery of black gold in modern times changed all that as we witnessed how economic power in the wrong hands can turn those same hands into a chokehold on civilization. Insignificant countries like Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Libya and others abruptly seized the moment to fan the flames of religious fanaticism and tyranny. Not understanding that all good things come to an end the leaders of the Arab nations did not invest this windfall in their citizens. They proceeded to display all the same characteristics  associated with an easy money generation.

The UN was engulfed by arrogant, greedy deceitful and pompous men in flowing arab garb and keffiyahs, inebriated with their newfound political and economic power. They enjoyed the cavalcade of infidels cowering and pandering to their every word and need. They even created the so-called "Palestinian" cause and cynically pounded the world with the "plight" of the refugees, supplying them with guns, political power, but no peaceful solution to the manufactured embryo. Even though a solution was available at the stroke of a financial pen. This culminated in their puppet leader, an armed Yasir Arafat addressing the UN assembly with the threat: "Today I come bearing an olive branch in one hand, and the freedom fighter's gun in the other. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand. I repeat, do not let the olive branch fall from my hand." Extremely dramatic and while the liberal media went into surround sound raptures Mr Arafat was filling personal bank accounts in Switzerland with Western donated funds meant for the so-called Palestinian cause.

The self appointed leader of this abominable coalition was the wealthiest cog in the wheel...Saudi Arabia, a coalition of Bedouin tribes turned kingdom. This kingdom amassed a sizeable fortune via its nationalized oil company ARAMCO. The fortune was used to expand arab influence on the world stage at the expense of the freedom loving democracies on our planet. But like all good things that are abused, they come to an end. The capitalist world takes no prisoners and the arab world is being taught a well earned and harsh lesson. Instead of taking care of future generations and providing education, healthcare, food and infrastructure they went on a weapons buying binge in order to protect the few against the many. Inevitably the price of oil fell from $100 to $30 a barrel. The picnic ended.

The Saudis are looking over their shoulders at the three non-arab powerhouses in the area, Israel, Turkey and Iran. Especially the latter two. All that weaponry is being put to good use in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. A new player in the form of ISIS is terrorizing all and sundry. The Saudi's are caught between a rock and a hard place. Ninety (90) percent of their budget is oil income based on a much higher price for oil. The Saudis use this income to placate their population and  support countries like Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Yemen and Sudan as well as anti-Assad groups in Syria. But now the money is running out. Oil production has to be kept at a high output to protect market share. Ninety (90%) percent of Saudis work for the government. Seventy (70) percent are under the age of 30...a newer generation. In the Eastern part of the country (where the oil is) the population is mostly shiite and allied with Iran.

And now the Saudi's are considering selling parts of ARAMCO (the largest oil company in the world and a Saudi treasure). For those that are not aware....this is a development of monumental consequence.

The Russians and Americans are aware of the Saudi conundrum and have distanced themselves from the kingdom. Russia towards Iran and the US towards Turkey. This is a case of Saudi Arabia yelling "follow me...I'm right behind you (Obama style)". Nobody is following. It would be fair to assume that civil war or another form of upheaval in the not too distant future in the land of sand and oil is in the stars. The era of blackmail, greed and hubris is over.

“When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” 
― Mark Twain

“Declare your jihad on thirteen enemies you cannot see -egoism, arrogance, conceit, selfishness, greed, lust, intolerance, anger, lying, cheating, gossiping and slandering. If you can master and destroy them, then you will be ready to fight the enemy you can see.” -  Al-Ghazali