The Value of Middle East Discord for Russia

[dvduval]

Russia produces 10.9 million barrels or oil per day, and the price of a barrel of oil is hovering around $50, meaning that Russia's daily oil output has a market value of approximately $545 MILLION. Just a $1 increase in the price means Russia is earning $10.9 Million more per day, and $4 BILLION more per year.

So if it costs Russia a few million to fund a a few terrorist, to disrupt a government, to fuel a war, the payoff is massive. When you look at their history in the Middle East (maybe Venezuela) it may not be about Russia having allies in the region, but rather they just want to find varying ways to disrupt the market, and push the value of oil up one more dollar.

Here in the US it seems there is increasing evidence that Russia has been behind lobbying related to Global Warming. They have payed money to religious/political organizations to help Americans believe that global warming is a conspiracy, and that these so called Green Energy companies are just trying to get government money, and that things like solar and wind are just a pipe dream. If they spend $1 Billion or more on lobbying, it can mean a several BILLION more in revenue for the Russians.

And of course the recent increase in Nationalism in the US and Russia helps the people of Europe and the US distrust and discriminate against people of Middle Eastern descent, further deepening the problem. It makes the likelihood of US or Nato sponsored attacks on the Middle East all that much more likely. It means Western Powers do Russia a favor with their bombs. Things get blown up. Oil facilities go offline, supply lines are broken, etc.

I wish there would be more effort to talk about this very simple math. Once you see and understand it, it becomes crystal clear what Russia is doing in the US, the Middle East and beyond.

Please give this some thought.

[StevieM]

1. Vladimir Putin is indeed a menace. He is terrorizing the whole world.

It is interesting to imagine what might have happened if Yeltsin had appointed someone else as his final prime minister before resigning.

Then again, a different prime minister might not have pardoned him. I think Putin knew what he was doing as he maneuvered his way into power.

[TheBlackAdder]

2. It also drags down everyone else's economies. Russia's is in the shitter, they're at the bottom.