Wider implications of OPEC’s output cut

Ensuring Socio-economic Justice

Crescent International

Rabi' al-Awwal 14, 1444 2022-10-10

Daily News Analysis

by Crescent International

OPEC’s decision to slash oil output by two million barrels a day is a logical move that is rooted in realpolitik.

The geopolitical ramifications of this decision, however, are likely to increase global tensions on multiple fronts.

Based on US reaction, OPEC’s decision cannot be accepted simply as an economic move.

According to the London-based Middle East Eye (MEE), on the day the decision was made, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that “it’s clear that Opec+ is aligning with Russia with today’s announcement.”

On October 7, the Washington-based al-monitor.com reported that some Democratic Party congress members called on the US to withdraw its military protection from the Saudi regime.

This is highly unlikely since the two regimes are closely intertwined on many different levels.

Collapse of the Saudi regime will curtail America’s disruptive meddling capabilities in the Muslim world.

It is now clear that Russia-NATO geopolitical conflict which began in Ukraine is going to have multiple levels and fronts.

It is also going to last for a long time.

One of the clearest indicators which shows that Washington takes the economic dimension of its proxy-war against Russia seriously was the unexpected US release of President Nicholas Maduro’s nephews in law.

It should be borne in mind that almost immediately after Russia attacked Ukraine, US officials flew to Venezuela in hopes of using Venezuelan oil as a substitute for Russian oil.

Of course, Caracas did not agree to this cynical move, but it seems the latest step by Washington signals that it is still hoping to use Venezuela in its broader strategy against Russia.

The GCC regimes’ decision to implement an oil policy which will further complicate the situation for the NATO camp in its geopolitical war with Russia is not surprising.

Like most regimes in the world, rulers of GCC regimes also have no principles or scruples.

It is not surprising that having realized the decline in western global influence, they have decided to start jumping ship.

While the US will still exercise significant influence over these potentates, the latest OPEC decision shows that NATO’s geopolitical struggle with Russia is rapidly acquiring a global character.

It will not be a smooth ride for the parties involved.

The US is likely to increase pressure on other regions in order to make up for GCC’s double game.

The reality is that GCC regimes have enormous wealth and influence to be able to play Russia, China and the US on certain political and economic matters.

At the moment, Washington is unable to punish its puppets for non-compliance with its demands.

Thus, Americans will try and use their influence in Africa and South America to increase their advantage in the economic field via energy resources and much-needed raw materials essentially for a growth driven economy.

Russia’s official media outlets are making it clear that economic and energy leverages are one of their most important cards against NATO’s position in Ukraine.

Both Russia and NATO will expand their economically disruptive behavior for collateral damage purposes.

Unfortunately, it will be the average person worldwide, completely uninvolved and totally powerless in such decision-making, who will bear the brunt of these imperialist ambitions.