However, seizing the petroleum and gas fields of Iraq
Never part of the plan, since they were Soviet clients.
However, seizing the petroleum and gas fields of Iraq
And there were few Saudis or Kuwaitis working those fields to do that destruction.
...the after affects of such an invasion on relations between the U.S. and third world powers would probably be drastic.
Most of Europe got their Oil from the Gulf States.Not just the Third World; this would be a case of blatant imperialism, seizing a foreign country's resources because they are unwilling to sell to you. Public opinion globally would be outraged, including in the United States; the street protests in America and Europe would make 1968 seem calm in comparison.
In the 1970s, Saudi locals were working the fields; it was only after the embargo that oil revenues lifted to the point where royal largesse was generous enough for the Saudi's to refrain from manual jobs and import overseas labourers. The Saudi army and national guard would have destroyed the fields; it was their publicly stated policy.
How well do you think they would fare in 1973? Their last combat in Yemen wasn't exactly glorious.
Their stated policy at the time was that they would not defend the oil fields, they would destroy them.
I meant that this drives interest in achieving oil independence, or more accurately independence from Arab oil. Perhaps the US goes after Venezuelan oil.Afaik, there's no way 1970's US could support itself, oil-wise...
Well, except that unlike OTL's "War on Terror", which, at least in its Afghanistan prong was legitimate, and even in its Iraq prong pretended to legitimacy; this war would be sheer outright Imperialistic resource grabbing, with no international support (probably anywhere), and would blacken the US's reputation massively. Or rather, even more massively.Well, say hello to the much earlier Super War on Terror.
The Soviets are going to love the oil price going to the stratosphere with the European NATO members begging them to sell them whatever they have.
What's the chance of this becoming the USAs version of the Soveit experience in Afghanistan? Cheap RPGs and AK47s are far more capable against modern militaries in the 70s than today.
Do you really think that the Saudis would do nothing? The two immediate questions that come to mind are how much damage they can do and how will the invading US work the oil fields? Specifically who, that's before you get to question of holding down the occupied nations. You don't need much to make that exercise very difficult.So Saudis had demo charges set, waiting to blow? And they are harder to destroy than you realize.
Really think they would do as good a job as Saddam's Army did in Kuwait?
Do you really think that the Saudis would do nothing? The two immediate questions that come to mind are how much damage they can do and how will the invading US work the oil fields? Specifically who, that's before you get to question of holding down the occupied nations. You don't need much to make that exercise very difficult.
Is joining WP for protection an option?You can look to see what the rest of OPEC would do, seeing that the USA just went insane and occupied an nominal ally, call it similar to what the USSR did in '56. UN won't be able to do a thing, given US vetoes.
Do the other OPEC members doing the embargo want to stick with solidarity and be next next on the list, and have their Oil infrastructure wrecked in a heroic scorched earth defense like the Saudis planned-- all while the US freezes all assets and plans more invasions?
Saying you will destroy your major source of exports, and doing it, are two different things. The Gulf monarchies were not that secure.
from what I remember, it was more the 'bolt out of the blue' suddenness of it all that caused the gas lines and problems; if there had been any kind of warning, the US could have shifted gears and prepared better. That said, although no one thought so at the time, I always regarded the embargo as a long term positive for the US... it forced us to focus on energy efficiency more, prompted us to find more oil from outside the Middle East, and look for more oil here at home.And with the embargo, the US did keep going, after all.
Is joining WP for protection an option?