Many countries view OPEC+'s decision to cut oil production as a revolt against US hegemony, writes Al-Binaa. The world is tired of the dictate of Washington, which acts only in its own interests. America's sale of gas to Europe at astronomical prices is not at all like helping an ally.
The White House is disappointed with OPEC+'s decision to cut oil production by two million barrels per day. This unprecedented step was taken at a critical moment for the Biden administration, that is, on the eve of the midterm elections to the US Congress. The campaign of pressure on the members of the alliance in order to force them not to reduce oil production failed. That is why this decision is seen by many OPEC+ countries as a revolt against the demands and hegemony of the United States. It should be noted that this is the largest reduction in oil production since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some analysts believe that Russia will receive the greatest benefit in this situation, since it supports high oil prices. The US president's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, even accused the organization of aiding the Kremlin.
The OPEC+ decision will worsen the global crisis associated with the confrontation between Russia and NATO on the territory of Ukraine. The consequences are as follows.
The first moment was the decline of Washington's prestige at the international level. He failed to impose his dictate on oil-producing countries and force them not to cut production in order to lower oil prices and deprive Moscow of income from energy exports. The White House called the OPEC+ decision a "total disaster" and said it could be perceived as a "hostile act" against the United States.
The second consequence is a change in the strategy of the countries that are part of Washington's zone of influence. They seek to distance themselves from the United States and want to pursue an independent policy guided by national interests, even if they contradict American ones.
The third consequence is the strengthening of Russia's position at the expense of the United States. Moscow is winning the fight against American hegemony and dealing a crushing blow to Washington's attempts to isolate and weaken it by tightening Western sanctions.
Finally, the OPEC+ decision, which shocked the Biden administration, was made at a time when Europe stopped being silent about the blatant use of the US energy crisis. Against the background of a reduction in Russian gas supplies, America is selling blue fuel to European allies at too high prices. German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that some of the countries friendly to Germany, led by the United States, are inflating gas prices, with which the country is trying to compensate for the cessation of supplies from Russia.
"Some countries, including friendly ones, are seeking astronomical prices," he said in an interview with the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung newspaper.
As a result, the OPEC+ countries did not succumb to Washington's pressure. They are tired of the American dictate ignoring their interests. Europe has also begun to express dissatisfaction with the US hegemony. The White House forced the EU to impose sanctions against Russia and cut off any economic ties with it. First of all, we are talking about the termination of gas and oil supplies. Europe has become completely dependent on American blue fuel. Washington is using the energy crisis that has erupted in European countries to sell them gas at "astronomical prices," as Robert Habeck said. This is how America deals with those whom it considers allies. What kind of alliance is this that is based on hegemony and monstrous exploitation?
Author: Hasan Hardan (حسن حردان)