Way too many people don't remember the 70s. Yea, yea Das Krümel is OG. We have seen embargos, wars, and the collapse of empires. While others have risen to rule.
How would I remove my opponents from the game, if I controlled the the price of Item needed to both survive... or play the game? The Saudis can dump enough oil to bankrupt Putin. At the same time they keep their opponents in the region from growing into larger problems. Also lets not forget if I control the flow, I can hedge at will.
Russia: needs to be broken, again (Reagan did this in the 80s by getting into weapons spending war) Hurt US but killed USSR. Iran: must find its place at the table.. SA's table. Regional Conflicts must be starved-out... or turned into glass!!
Unless I see new clouds of war, or death of a King, I will remain short.