Will the world stand with us or against us if Al Qaeda attacks US oil interests in other countries?

Question

Al Qaeda group calls for attacks on U.S. oil
POSTED: 11:17 a.m. EST, February 14, 2007

Story Highlights• Saudi wing of al Qaeda has called for attacks targeting U.S. oil
• The threat appeared in e-magazine
• Group was behind failed suicide attack on world's largest oil processing plant

DUBAI (Reuters) -- A Saudi wing of al Qaeda called for attacks on U.S. oil sources across the world, saying targets should not be limited to the Middle East and listing Canada, Venezuela and Mexico as U.S. oil suppliers.

The threat appeared in the al Qaeda Organization in the Arabian Peninsula's e-magazine, Sawt al-Jihad (Voice of Holy War), which was posted on a Web site used by Islamist militants.

"It is necessary to hit oil interests in all regions which serve the United States not just in the Middle East. The goal is to cut its supplies or reduce them through any means," it said.

Answer 1

As a practical consideration it doesn't matter. If they stand with us they might offer token support, while behind the scenes they subvert our defense. If they stand against us they'll just howl about the actions we take to defend ourselves. So it really doesn't matter.

Answer 2

Stand with "us"? So the question is will the "world" (every country's citizens and government administration) support a US military reaction to an attack on oil extraction, refining, distribution infrastructure that is owned by companies registered in the US ( companies "owned" by shareholders from anywhere in the world)?

Such an attack would financially harm the company shareholders and the US gov't (from, at least, lost corporate tax revenue). The question presupposes there are only two states to choose from: "with us" or "against us". I guess, then, my answer is I would be against you because I would not be with you.

I'm all for significant destabilization of world oil supplies. A subsequent jump in fuel prices would drive a reduction in consumption and and increase in research and adoption of alternative energy supply models. How timely this would be with our global warming predicament. Yes, economies may recede. That may play to the advantage of the environment as well.

So instead of eating avocados and oranges trucked 3000kms north from Mexico I'll not be buying them because they'll be too expensive, or I'll eat ones grown locally in new-industry green-houses that use electricity generated from hydro-electric, solar, wind or (gasp) nuclear... that popped-up because they suddenly became economically viable.

Since the age of oil... the industrial revolution... we've popped the lid of this CO2 bottle called earth. Too much is escaping too fast with nowhere to go. It's time to put the lid back on, and leave it on. Suffer now or suffer later...much, much worse.

Wake up and realize the true cost of our dependence on oil is absolutely the largest threat to "freedom"....and that the concept of "freedom", as seems ubiquitous to the psyche of Americans is, simply, unrealistic and impractical.

Answer 3

First of all, it's 1 person who says they are "suspected" of links which doesn't mean they are. More importantly, the article describes the capture and questioning of certain Iranians and the targeting of specific individuals related to terrorism. Nowhere in the article does it say America or the group within Iran were terrorists themselves or committing terrorist acts. YOU assumed that from your own beliefs. I'm not there so I can't say for sure, but article you cite does not support your interpretation of it.

Answer 4

Time will tell, depends on how usefull will America be on that day to those countries.

Its very practical viewpoint. Even now counties are helping US about Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran just because they are interested in their Economic and Strategic Benifit from US.

Answer 5

Dosen't matter if they do or not. Any and all attacks made by this or any fanatical group will be addressed accordingly. Unless we have a democrate as president , like hillary, then we will cry and beg for mercy.

Answer 6

I can see England with us but the rest are a bunch of weak countries sympathizing with terrorists.

Answer 7

Of late we have found out that much of the world will not stand with us. Maybe we should try negotiations. Aggression isn't working.

Answer 8

The world is not the problem - it is our own citizens & Congress.

Answer 9

good question.

Answer 10

ahh... No!