Middle East Energy Crisis

Just read an interesting Wall Street Journal article on energy consumption in the Middle East. It says that the population of 300 million in the Middle East and North Africa consume almost as much energy as the 1.2 billion people in China!

Iran is a net refined gasoline importer even though it sits on one of the largest oil patches in the world. It gets 85% of its budget revenues from oil exports but experts say they will only be able to produce enough oil for themselves within 10 years. More consumption, less exports, budget crisis, political instability.

This is why they are hell-bent on nuclear energy to help with electricity consumption and keeping the natives from getting restless. (Of course, that doesn't mean that they are/aren't developing nuclear weapons along side the power plant efforts.)

Iran's economy is circling the drain and there will be more political instability as it gets closer to a full-on flush and the government tries to hold onto power.
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