The Sunnis have the wealth of the world under their sand.
Its valuable for the Saudis only because it valuable to others. Its valuable to others because they can use it to produce wealth. More wealth then the Saudis or Kuwaitis have. Compare the GDP for the whole middle east to the GDP of the US.
Saudi's GDP isn't a lot more than Poland's. Iran's is similar to Argentina's, or Finland's. Pakistan's is less then Singapore's.
And since their GDPs are so dependent on oil, they are also more vulnerable in many ways. Changes in demand for one commodity, will effect them greatly.
I'm not saying there isn't a lot of oil money flowing around the middle east, or that there isn't a lot of radicals, and some powerful forces at work. These forces might make for a lot of trouble. They might cause major problems. But being able to cause problems for superpowers isn't enough to make you a superpower.
Did you ever play Musical chairs? Fold up Milasia's chair, Fold up Saudi, Fold up Palistine, Fold up Jordan, Fold up Egypt, Fold up Lybia and Tunisia, Fold the Sudan and Algeria, Afghanistan is still in the game, Iraq is about to fold.
Could you expand on that idea. |
