Mohacsy's Safe Portfolio Member Forum

[cadillac107]

I agree with you to a major extent, Eric. Until after World War II, the U.S. had very little interest in the region. At that time, few Americans had little or any understanding of the life style of its population, and the erroneous belief that everyone basically was a "camel jockey" prevailed. After all, what region in the world has such a least invigorating climate as south west Asia and north Africa, collectively referred to by the political or military term, the middle east. Thus, it was only then that our government accepted the harsh reality, that we were no longer going to be self sufficient in oil.

However, one must also consider, however, that the region is strategically located. For example, the man made Suez Canal, has long served as an important function in world trade. Thus, I do believe that you are exaggerating a tad bit much, when you state that nobody will care. Indeed, shipping companies and major mutinational corporations, with vested interests in the surrounding regions, will indeed care when their profitability margins takes a hit.