I wouldn't rule out that the idea of selling some of ARAMCO stake to "big oil", came to this juvenile prince out of fear and insecurity. Having US companies owning "part of the rock" he thought, it will compel them to come to defend the KSA regime to protect their stake. Maybe they've done that before, even after 1973 when 100% of ARAMCO had become Saudi, but it won't happen again, not when oil is good for ointment. His plan is a pie in the sky and a mirage in the Empty Quarter. It will be good for the 1% of the world, though, through investment, fraud, and embezzlement.
Not a second too soon when Middle East oil becomes a remedy for crotch rash and a cure for hemorrhoids.... No oil means no more wars... sand does not burn well. Law degree from a local college? that means his grades in high school were so low he had to be be a prince to get admitted to college at all.... IQ? you guessed it! SA is not Korea, or Japan, or Germany.... Development needs culture and freedom and creativity and transparency in government.... by the time these are developed.....well.... maybe the rest of the world will be schmoozing with Martians.
I wouldn't rule out that the idea of selling some of ARAMCO stake to "big oil", came to this juvenile prince out of fear and insecurity. Having US companies owning "part of the rock" he thought, it will compel them to come to defend the KSA regime to protect their stake. Maybe they've done that before, even after 1973 when 100% of ARAMCO had become Saudi, but it won't happen again, not when oil is good for ointment. His plan is a pie in the sky and a mirage in the Empty Quarter. It will be good for the 1% of the world, though, through investment, fraud, and embezzlement.
Not a second too soon when Middle East oil becomes a remedy for crotch rash and a cure for hemorrhoids.... No oil means no more wars... sand does not burn well. Law degree from a local college? that means his grades in high school were so low he had to be be a prince to get admitted to college at all.... IQ? you guessed it! SA is not Korea, or Japan, or Germany.... Development needs culture and freedom and creativity and transparency in government.... by the time these are developed.....well.... maybe the rest of the world will be schmoozing with Martians.