Middle East News
Mar 25, 2007, 15:11 GMT
Iran says all British detainees in good health (Roundup)
And Also
Similar articles
- Royal Navy resumes boarding operations in northern Gulf
- British defence secretary says "sorry" over sailors' debacle
- Captured British sailor's Iran diary banned by ministry: Times
- Blair says allowing sailors to speak to media was "not a good idea"
- Iran "to reveal truth about British captives in documentary" (Extra)
Latest Headlines in Middle East
- 1. Five Britons captured on yacht by Iran's navy, London says
- 2. Iraqi general assassinated in disputed city of Kirkuk
- 3. Hezbollah chief says US role is diminishing in the region
- 4. Lebanese Shiite cleric lashes out at Swiss minaret ban
- 5. Czech intelligence: Saddam ordered Prague attack
Via BuzzFeed
Older Talkback
page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
'Mark my words, in the short years to come, Exxon/Mobil will go down in price even as oil rises!'
It will go down if there is a price shock. That is for sure. And yes, Exxon is close to the top of it's arc.
'It's the drillers you idiot that will make all the money.'
The hell you say. So if there is instability in the middle east where the drillers do their drilling, that is going to be good for business? A shock there effects everyone.
'As I said, money talks....BS walks. And, I'm still talking. You've got nothing.'
Aaaah yes, dirt poor. :-D
'And, I love it. It makes me richer!'
Congratulations. (seriously, I like it when other people do well, even if you are an asshole) I think your ride is about over. Markets like stability. A big constriction on supply is going to lead to a long term constriction on demand. Just as it did in the '70s. The end result was 11 dollar a barrel oil.
'It's the supply demand that drives prices in the long run. AND, supply is peaking and demand is rising!'
1) Peek oil is a myth. 2) That is the 'long run' we are talking about.
All of which is obviously besides the point. Just a little measuring contest, eh?
The point is you have a rogue regime in Iran that has, well, let me snip here: Since 1979, in no particular order Iranians or Iranian funded and controlled terrorist groups have; invaded our embassy and held our diplomatic staff for 444 days, took American journalists and a British minister hostage in Lebanon, killing William Buckley, bombed the US embassy in Lebanon which killed 17 Americans, the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing which killed 241 Americans on a peacekeeping mission, the Khobar Towers bombing killing 19 Americans…
They hijacked an aircraft and killed navy diver Robert Stethem and unceremoniously dumped his body on the tarmac, bombed a Jewish center in Argentina, killing 85, their proxy Hezbollah has started several conflicts with Israel, including the one last summer which left hundreds killed, they still have a bounty on the head of Salmon Rushdie for writing a book that they didn’t like… They have provided the Shiite death squads in Iraq with training and material as well as the Sunni death squads that go after the Shiites with the objective of creating as much bloodshed as passable. They have also been supplying shaped charges and shoulder launched anti-aircraft missiles to kill coalition troops...
They Chant 'death to America' on a daily basis in their schools and Mosques,they continually threaten to wipe Israel off the map, they have mined the Strait of Hormuz, they publicly lynch girls for being 'disobedient', they publicly lynch boys for being homosexual, they publicly lash women for the crime of being raped, they stone women to death for infidelity, they censor their news, murder political dissidents, invented the suicide bomber...
They are now kidnapping British sailors and holding them hostage.
If you can figure out a way to make money off of this, good for you. The Casus belli here have to do with principal, not profit.
'In simple truth, Iran is in fact running out of energy. In fact, Iran will stop exporting oil in the next ten years due to two facts: their oil production has in fact peak years ago, and, internal demand continues to rise.'
Their production has peaked because their refining facilities are outdated and in need of repair and expansion
Their supply is plentiful
...I do love making money, I'll admit that! There's nothing I can do to stop the Bush war/lie machine, nor can millions of demonstrators around the world. But, if he keeps pumping up war, why not profit from it? You'd be a fool not to.
As for Peak Oil. Yes, in fact it is true. To all reading these links, I highly recommend reading up on Peak Oil (do a simple google search). There have been no new major oil discoveries in the past 25 years (an no, the new Chevron 'Jack' discovery doesnt count by a long stretch). Just about all the largest wells are in production declines as we speak. Even Saudi Arabia appears to be about peaking in production based on the most up to date research.
It's no wonder the US and UK are heavily concentrated in the Persian Gulf, once you remove the rhetoric and blabber. The elite leaders know what's going on.
You can blab and complain. But, I recommend doing research on the subject, and protecting yourself financially.
The US debt levels keep rising, net exports keep declining, oil addiction keeps increasing. Almost NO effort has been made in energy conservation in the US. But, the war machine keeps moving on. First Iraq, then Iran. Who's next, Saudi Arabia?
Now, let's turn to the UK. They relied heavily on North Sea production. Up until about 3-4 years ago, the UK was a net exporter of oil. It had tons of oil from the Nort Sea. Folks, that aint true anymore. The North Sea has in fact peaked in the the late 1990's. Now the UK is like the US, a slave to oil producing nations. At least the UK is making an effort in alternative energy.
So, as I said, do your own research. The facts point to peaking world oil production while at the same time increasing demand, namely in China and India (where the US exported the jobs to).
You can cry and complain all you want and claim to be patriotic (wave the flag, put on bumper stickers, wear flags on lapels). But, if you're not protected from the energy problem and devaluing of the US dollar, you're likely to be working like the poor Mexicans in the decade to come.
Best wishes to the intelligent.
We'll see who's lauging in 10 years - an it will be me buying up ocean front property in the US!
Comical Ali (That's a funny name - I kind of like it!)
'Why dont YOU tell me which country's currency is gaining and which is falling?'
Both are rising.
' Why dont you tell me what the GDP growth rates are of both countries if you even know! (I know).
'
China, as a country is growing at a faster clip. They have a lot of catching up to do. BTW, per capita the USA grew more. Do you think with a population of over a billion Chinese is going to be able to sustain these growth rates? Sooner or later these folks are going to want to reap the rewards of their work.
'What are you even talking about? Oil stocks grow on stability? You make no sense. Oil stocks grow based on demand for oil.'
It makes perfect sense, stable supply leads to more positive earnings. Price spikes drive down demand, there is a short term profit but longer term, and not that much longer term it is a net loss. The ideal is steady supply slightly outweighing steady demand. Shocks disrupt the system and are bad for overall growth.
'And no, demand is not rising mostly in the US. It's rising mostly in China and India. '
Exactly, their economies are more vulnerable to price spikes then ours. (Or mine) A constriction on supply leads to economic contraction there, which leads to a bigger constriction on demand, which means the price drops. This ends up rolling back more profit then was gained on the initial price jump.
''dollar hegemony' - no, it's YOU that dont know what your talking about.'
Gee, such proof of your theory. Shouldn't you be googoling the Asia times which started that little internet BS bandwagon?
'There's little I can do to stop the wars, but, there's plenty I can do to profit from the wars. That's capitalism.'
Well then, you go. If taking on a perverse theocratic totalitarian Islamic theocracy makes you a few bucks, so be it. Yet another reason to do the right thing.
'Gross GDP is meaningless, especially when borrowing increases GDP.'
Fine, look at the GDP/Debt ratio charts... Tell me Ali, what country are you in?
'Go Navy, Go Marines,'
We are agreed.
'I plan to buy up some ocean front property'
It's nice. Trust me.
'To 'U.S. GETTING BUTTS KICKED!!!', you've got some good points. '
LOL.... Idiots of a feather....
Great comments by all.
I know what precipitated the US/Iran hostage situation in 1979. Most Americans do not. It was the 1953 CIA backed coupe of the democratically elected government under Mossadegh. The US govt then installed the ruthless dictator Shah. It's a shame this is not common knowledge in the US.
The coupe was run by Kermit Roosevelt (in the CIA) and run from within the US Embassy in Iran. That is why the Iranians overtook the US Embassy in 1979. Folks, I'm not making it up. Do a google search. It's all true.
I dont condone what the Iranians did in 1979. In the end, it hurt relations between the people of both countries. But, the cause was in fact the CIA backed coupe in 1953. Up until that point, Iranians had a high respect for the US government.
I think most Iranians want peace, as most people in the world do. But, the leaders keep up the rhetoric. Ahmadinejad is nothing more than a right wing response to an ultra right wing US foreign policy.
Ok, back to making money...what's my favorite energy play....
Comical Ali
To Denny
No, Iran's oil production has in fact peaked. It peaked in the 1980's as a matter of fact. Iran's oil exports will actually end in less than 10 years as production levels decline and internal demands build. You can now see why they want nuclear power. Perhaps wind and solar would be 'safer' energy, but, pound for pound, you cant due much better than nuclear energy. Just ask the Chinese, Indians, and Pakinstanies.
As for refining capacity, the US is the country without enough refining capacity, although Iran may be deficient as well. The US now imports 10 percent of it's gasoline. This was unheard of even 5 years ago. And no, there are no plans to build any new refineries in the US. But there are plans for refineries in China and India. Did you notice how gasoline prices have recently risen to about $2.65 per gallon. That's no miracle. It's simply an increase in gasoline demand and lack of refining capacity.
Good try, though.
Comical Ali
'...I do love making money, I'll admit that! '
You seem to think that I would have a problem with that. None of this has anything to do with getting Iran to free its hostages.
'There's nothing I can do to stop the Bush war/lie machine, nor can millions of demonstrators around the world'
Maybe you haven't constructed a big enough paper mache puppet, or a big enough 'Bush Hitlerburton' sign... Surely people would pay more attention to you then...
'As for Peak Oil. Yes, in fact it is true. '
There is enough oil in the continental USA to last for the next 100 years , even adjusted for increased consumption. That is according to the Rand institute. That isn't even going off shore. None of which has anything to do with stopping Iran from getting a doomsday device.
'You can blab and complain. But, I recommend doing research on the subject, and protecting yourself financially.'
I think Ill be ok, thank you for your concern, but None of this has anything to do with getting Iran to free its hostages.
'Almost NO effort has been made in energy conservation in the US. But, the war machine keeps moving on.'
AAAh, So that is why we are fighting Islamic terrorism. I thought it was because they were attacking humanity. If we were after oil why haven't we unilaterally stopped the genocide in Sudan? Where are your cries of 'no blood for oil' when it is China that is profiting from the massacre of hundreds of thousands of Muslims by Muslims?
'Now, let's turn to the UK. They relied heavily on North Sea production. Up until about 3-4 years ago, the UK was a net exporter of oil.'
So that's why Iran took their sailors hostage... It makes perfect sense.
'The North Sea has in fact peaked in the the late 1990's. Now the UK is like the US, a slave to oil producing nations. '
So if the UK buys something from someone that makes them a slave? Not really the case, now is it? None of which has anything to do with stopping Iran from getting a doomsday device.
'But, if you're not protected from the energy problem and devaluing of the US dollar, you're likely to be working like the poor Mexicans in the decade to come.'
LOL... Thank you for your concern... Our economy by any measure is better off then yours. Why don't you fix yourself first.
'We'll see who's lauging in 10 years - an it will be me buying up ocean front property in the US!'
Not mine.
There were comments on per capita gains, blah blah, with respect to the US and China.
Let me repeat: The US is a net debtor nation. Thus, on a per-captita basis, the US is negative. On a per-capita basis China is positive. The math is simple. The US imports more than it exports, AND, borrows more money each year to do it!
Is China really that reliant on the US? Hmmm, maybe at this point in time, but, time will tell. Right now they are not ready to unleash the horded dollars - about $1 Trillion. Just to compare, the US account deficit is about $9 Trillion. Wow. And, it just keeps growing! The Chinese have no account deficit. It's a surplus.
When compared to GDP, US debt levels are in fact increasing. Do believe Kudlow. He's a moron.
In the end, the people in China are producing something. In the US there is no NET production, ie, net exports. Do the Chinese really need to come to the US to use their services - Hair Cuts, Tanning Salons, Restaurants, tax advice? I dont think so.
You're kidding if yourself if you think the war games in Iraq and Iran are about principles. They are about dollar hegemony and oil addiction - plain and simple.
My angle is to make money in the process. I vote with my dollar every day! Do you?
Comical Ali
'No, Iran's oil production has in fact peaked. It peaked in the 1980's as a matter of fact.'
Only because foreign investment and expertise ended after their 'revolution'
'Iran's oil exports will actually end in less than 10 years as production levels decline and internal demands build.'
Well, nonsense, but if that were the case it would be a good thing, they are a menace to humanity.
'You can now see why they want nuclear power.'
If this were about 'nuclear power' they would have accepted the light water reactors offered them. They would have also accepted the offer to have the Uranium enriched elsewhere. This is about a weapons program and you know it.
'Perhaps wind and solar would be 'safer' energy, but, pound for pound, you cant due much better than nuclear energy'
What does that have to do with enrichment to weapons grade levels? Why did the IAEA refer them to the security council? This is about bombs, not electricity.
'As for refining capacity, the US is the country without enough refining capacity'
Sure, So what does that have to do with the Iranians taking British hostages?
As for me making money on the war...folks, the soldiers have volunteered! At any point they can quit and not return (ie, refuse to fight). Nothing holds them there but their dedication to their fellow soldiers (from that angle, I commend them!).
Why would a person not see the trends based on all of Bush's lies and not position their portfolio accordingly? Makes sense to me. I dont agree with war and wont support it, but, I'll make a buck off it. And no, I dont hold defense companies like Ratheon and Lockhead Martin (although quite profitable). Just energy and precious metals.
Best Whishes,
Comical Ali
I love the comments! Thier great.
Yes, all my talk has everything to do with the British hostages. It's a front by both countries. Both want escalation of the conflict to raise oil prices. (Remember the Gulf of Tonkin?)
In the end, Iran could have taken the option to ignore the UK meddling. But, Iran did not. It's playing the 'game'. The US and Iran both need higher oil prices. The higher oil prices prop up the dollar and the increased revenues help Iran.
In the meantime, Iran will likely build the reactors.
By the way, Henry Kissinger (the devil himself) actually wanted Iran to build nuclear reactors when the Shah was in place. Hmm. What's changed. All that's changed is the puppet master (US) no longer has a puppet (Shah).
Comical Ali
(PS, the US oil production peaked in 1971, Alaska around 1985 or so. So, yes, the US has peaked and now imports 60 percent of its oil. OUCH, that's got to hurt! - Who luv's ya big daddy?)
'Let me repeat: The US is a net debtor nation. '
So is China, so is Canada, so is Germany, so are most countries in the world.
Lets say I made $1000 a year, and I wanted to buy a house for $600. If I took out a loan to pay it off over 4 years would I be broke?
'Is China really that reliant on the US? Hmmm, maybe at this point in time, but, time will tell. Right now they are not ready to unleash the horded dollars - about $1 Trillion.'
You have tried this nonsense before, it was BS then and it is BS now. Chinas currency is pegged to ours. If ours drops theirs drops. If they un peg it theirs will rise in proportion and kill their exports. If they cause a run on our currency (they couldn't even if they wanted to) it would throw them into recession. All this has been thought out.
'When compared to GDP, US debt levels are in fact increasing.'
Yes, congress needs to control spending. They waste too much money. (come at me with the 'it's all wasted spending on wars argument,' I am ready.)
'In the US there is no NET production, ie, net exports.'
None at all eh... You are confusing 'manufacturing' with 'producing'. Either way, we still do both here, thank you very much.
'You're kidding if yourself if you think the war games in Iraq and Iran are about principles.'
You are kidding yourself if you think it is solely about oil. If it were we would just let the SOB's kill off each other and buy their oil anyway. Like China does with the Sudan.
' They are about dollar hegemony and oil addiction - plain and simple.'
Dollar hegemony hasn't been an issue since the '80s.
'My angle is to make money in the process.'
Godspeed. You will soon be parted, Ill bet.
'I vote with my dollar every day! Do you?'
:-D
I'm not totally convinced the reactors are for weapons. It's tough to tell what's actually going on since the US Media is the lap dog for Bush.
Wind and solar would have been alternatives to nuclear, but, as I said, they dont produce as much energy as nuclear power.
Some good points were raised in your comments, however. Why didnt Iran offer transparency with respect to the reactors? Again, it's tough to know for sure. The US govt has been pushing hard to increase the conflict there, just as they did prior to Iraq (remember the Axis of Evil comments?). By the way, how many WMD's have been found in Iraq? Oh, cat got the tongue now? Hmm.
I truly think both countries are bidding up the price of oil for earlier stated reasons. The capture of British sailors is just a small piece on the Chess board.
Also, Israel is a leading nuclear power right at the doorsteps of Iran. How would the world (US and UK) reacted if Iran flew jets into Israel to blow up their nuclear weapons like Israel threatens Iran? Plus, Pakistan borders Afghanistan and harbours Bin Laden. But, Pakistan has nuclear weapons? Hmmm. A little inconsistency, no?
Comical Ali
You're nuts!
China and Canada are not debtor nations. Both have a net surplus of trade. Where are you getting your information, from Fox News or Kudlow? Pllllleeeease.
Plus, Canada sits on a ton of resources! Given a choice of investing in Canada or US, I'd take Canada hands down. Same is true with China vs US.
This is actually funny. I have to laugh on this one. You are in FACT wrong. The US is, however, a debtor nation! Last I checked the powerful US economy was running an account deficit AND trade deficit. That smells like debtor nation to me! Ha ha. The US has to actually borrow money every day to keep the GDP going! Ha ha ha ha. What a joke.
My question is, why do you want to be a part of the debt? Why not become part of the profit? See things as they actually are, not as you wish them to be.
Comical Ali
'Yes, all my talk has everything to do with the British hostages. It's a front by both countries. Both want escalation of the conflict to raise oil prices.'
So here we go, back to the idiotic conspiracy theories. How did the British make the Iranians tale their sailors hostage? This makes about as much sense as anything else you have blathered on about here.
' But, Iran did not. It's playing the 'game'. '
Well, then their prize should be a B-52 strike! Look what you have won Ayatollahs!
'In the meantime, Iran will likely build the reactors'
And we will ship more bunker busters to Israel. (Look, my stock just went up!)
' Hmm. What's changed. All that's changed is the puppet master (US) no longer has a puppet (Shah).'
Oh, a coup by a bunch of frenzied, theocratic, unelected, totalitarian, thuggish, homicidal mullahs who have devolved Iran into the number 1 state sponsor of terrorism. That's all.
' So, yes, the US has peaked and now imports 60 percent of its oil. '
Go read the Rand report instead of parroting what you hear on your conspiracy websites.
@ comical ali ..
so America is doing fine eh?
Tell me .. I hear about all the homeless .. near on 40% of the Yanks cant afford health insurance .. the Katrina levees not yet fixed .. nearly 300,000 thousand displaced whilst the Armed Blackwater Mercenaries patrolled the streets.
How much more does one need? More Waco .. more Ruby Ridge .. more Gitmo .. more Abu Gharib to enforce the hegemony of Hallibum? How about expending some of the ill gotten gains on decent body armour for the ones that are doing the killing and dying .. or is that taking charity too far? .. should we continue to force the taxpayer to subsidize the murderous corporations?
As I have previously said .. A loaf of bread .. a loaf of bread .. how many Americans do not have one .. how many are now sleeping in 1980 Hondas and Toyotas after the shareholders foreclosed on their mortgages?
Nothing has changed and a new recession for America is looming.
'I'm not totally convinced the reactors are for weapons. It's tough to tell what's actually going on since the US Media is the lap dog for Bush.
'
That is because you are brain dead.
'Why didnt Iran offer transparency with respect to the reactors? Again, it's tough to know for sure.'
Gee, thanks for supporting my point.
'By the way, how many WMD's have been found in Iraq? Oh, cat got the tongue now? Hmm.
'
Plenty. They blow themselves up on a daily basis. The Iraqui government hung the biggest WMD a few months ago.
'I truly think both countries are bidding up the price of oil for earlier stated reasons. '
That is because you are a conspiracist. It is paranoia. We have been over this a dozen times. You are a textbook example.
' The capture of British sailors is just a small piece on the Chess board.'
Why not just constrict output? Wouldn't that be a bit easier then all this? They have OPEC but Iran hasn't been lobbying for output cuts. Just Venezuela.
'Also, Israel is a leading nuclear power right at the doorsteps of Iran.'
It always gets back to that, doesn't it? Your hate for the Israelis. Such a sound investment stratigy... LOL
Ivor - Agreed. Great comments! Guns and war dont feed people. Actually, just the opposite.
As all this banter goes back and forth, the facts are quite revealing. In fact, the US is not feading its people as Ivor stated. Very good. It's a sad reality. (War is peace...war is peace, keep repeating it and maybe it will come true...)
Lots of laughs on the earlier comment of sending more bunker busters to Israel! Very good. That's the game, my man, that's the game. You hit it on the head. And both countries, Iran and US, are bidding up the oil prices! Ha ha ha. And you pay the price at the pump and at Walmart! As the dollar weakens, prices at Walmart will sky-rocket. You go boy!
The US has the strongest military might, hands down, HANDS DOWN. Everyone knows this. But, it's running the country broke in the process! Ha ha ha. Go send in the Marines and Navy and support the US/Israel military complex. I'll be making the money on energy and gold stocks!
If the US escalates this war in Iran, the dollar will tumble and oil will rocket. That's a fact my man. YOU will pay the price in your pocket. I will make tons on my investments.
Bring it on, baby!
Comical Ali
Your Talkback on this Story