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  Alrighty Then : The United ‌Arab Emirates has announced its decision to quit OPEC and OPEC+ to focus on “national interests”, dealing ⁠a heavy ⁠blow to the oil-exporting groups at a time when the US-Israel war on Iran has caused ⁠a historic energy shock and rattled the global economy. The move, which will take effect on Friday, reflects “the UAE’s long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile”, a statement carried by state media said on Tuesday. “During our time in the organisation, we made significant contributions and even greater sacrifices for the benefit of all,” it added. “However, the time has come to focus our efforts on what our national interest dictates.” The loss of the UAE, a longstanding OPEC member, could create disarray and weaken the oil cartel, which has usually sought to show a united ⁠front despite internal disagreements over a range of issues from geopolitics to production quotas. UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei said the d...

 In two separate videos, Danny Haiphong and Carl Zha explain why China's in a better position than most pundits think:

 

 

 

 

 

 

...but when OPEC does it, they twiddle their fingers:

  But it won't prevent people from trying : The Biden administration launched a full-scale pressure campaign in a last-ditch effort to dissuade Middle Eastern allies from dramatically cutting oil production, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. But that effort appears to have failed, following Wednesday’s crucial meeting of OPEC+, the international cartel of oil producers that, as expected, announced a significant cut to output in an effort to raise oil prices. That in turn will likely cause US gasoline prices to rise at a precarious time for the Biden administration, just five weeks before the midterm elections. On Wednesday morning, OPEC+ oil ministers meeting in Vienna agreed to an even larger production cut than the White House had feared — 2 million barrels per day, beginning in November, according to a readout of the meeting released on Wednesday. The ministers said the cuts were necessary “in light of the uncertainty that surrounds the global economic and ...

 Because one-in-six Americans currently cannot:

  Not the type they warn you about in the media to be certain .

 Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo ( who is doing very well for herself ) claims President Biden has exhausted all options in trying to roll back gas prices : "Unfortunately, that is the brutal reality," Raimondo said in response to CNN's Kate Bolduan saying there's not much action left that President Joe Biden can take. She continued, "You know, this is, in large part, caused by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's aggression. You know, since Putin move troops to the border of Ukraine, gas prices have gone up over $1.40 a gallon, and the President is asking for Congress and others for potential ideas. But as you say, the reality is that there isn't very much more to be done." Of course, Biden's "options" included going to Saudi Arabia and Venezuela with his tail between his legs and begging them for help . Also, prices were rising before Russia attacked Ukraine (remember when the Biden Administration was blaming "supply chain...

 From CNN : New York (CNN Business)The White House considered sending gas cards to families to cushion the blow from record-high gas prices before eventually deciding it is not feasible. A White House spokesperson told CNN that gas cards are not seriously under consideration, confirming a report in Axios. The Biden administration is worried that gas cards won't work because of execution issues and fraud concerns. In the past, cards have been stolen from mailboxes, a source familiar with the administration's thinking told CNN, adding that they are studying the pros and cons of various proposals. [SNIP] "The President is very concerned about the impact that gas prices are having on families and wants to do everything possible and sensible to mitigate that," the spokesperson said. "We know there are a number of ideas being suggested by our allies in Congress and the President is looking forward to hearing them." Oh thanks! I mean, it's not like the presiden...

Even as the evidence is (slowly) stacking up , American conservatives still want to halt the President's attempts to get the United States towards true energy independence .

The White House isn't just going to let Republicans attack them on gas prices , which is interesting considering that not too long ago Fox News was claiming quite the opposite .

Interesting quotes .

Heh .

First there was the story about people stealing gasoline (which is more frequent then I first suspected); then there a story about gas stations going out of business . Now: apparently those that are still in business are beginning to refuse credit cards . Remember when Bush blanked out when a reporter asked him about the "potential" of $4.00/gallon gas ? Remember his lame-ass solution ? Of course, in his defense he had no choice after Saudi Arabia laughed in his fucking face and told him to go home . So now we have a potential scenario where a person has to go to a more popular gas station (because the local one closed due to small traffic) only to realize that now they have to pay cash for every transaction. But that won't matter, because odds are their gasoline will be stolen between them leaving their home and arriving to the gas station.