I don't think there's really much collusion going on here.

1) The Saudis are experiencing some real pain from the fall in oil prices.
2) If Obama wanted to maximize this, he certainly would have done so before the midterms.

This doesn't seem to be anything more than a (correct IMHO) response to a glut on the part of the Saudis. They know that the 'hand to mouth' oil exporters will ramp up production, not reduce it, in response to a fall in the oil price. As a result, any Saudi cut in production will likely be of marginal use in stopping or slowing the fall in oil prices (at the cost of their markets).

I read the article when it came out, and dismissed it.

(12-27-2014 10:22 AM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  The Saudis are going to do what they're going to do. I don't think we were involved in their decision at all.

But it's sweet to see Iran & Russia crash and burn.

(12-27-2014 10:58 AM)vandiver49 Wrote:  I'm doubtful of any collusion as well. If the US and Saudi Arabia were capable of such action, why wait until now to do so?

(12-27-2014 11:32 AM)CoastGuardHawk06 Wrote:  I'm not so sure there was collusion from the start, but I imagine watching Russian, Iranian, and Venezuelan economies plunge has brought US and Saudi interests to the table in talks.

Agree with all 3 of the above.

Quote:However, I wouldn't be so sure this was planned from the start because most politicians know and understand it's never wise to try to stomp on snakes.

Stomping on snakes is usually a good idea, IMHO. Depends on the timing/circumstances, of course, but overall I'm in favor of it. What's unwise is the typical Obama instinct of picking snakes up by the tail and then trying to engage in some sort of "dialogue".