luisdias, I think you should consider that not only will most producing countries try their best to follow Westexas model but will be encouraged in that, as far as the US is concerned, by the decreasing value of the US dollar.

Of course they will try! nobody likes being robbed. Remember Carter's doctrine though. USA will not negotiate American's way of life!

Yes the US military may momentarily trump Westexas's model but judging by how things have gone in Iraq I would not expect something in that order to be very effectual in the long range in solving US oil needs.

Well, I'm a believer of Yoda's preachings, so I fully agree with you: in long term, it will be bad. Something in the order of Violence generates Hate, Hate generates Fear, Fear to the dark side will lead you, hmmmm!

But it may just be enough for the USA plummet after the others. Now, this is speculation. I am not really predicting. I predict USA's reaction and this is what they will try to do. And I see a closing gap for them to do it, but it still exists. Remember that the oil market depends on the US army to be secure. Remember that!