Originally Posted by MetaMan

I think it has less to do with the middle east and more to do with the growing middle class of countries like china and india. as these countries grow GDP wise at insane rates the wealth is bringing up more and more people into the middle class.

as the middle class grows in these countries their buying power increases and so does their energy use.

the west basically propped up part of its "downfall" by helping these countries to grow. the middle class here purchases all their goods. there hasnt been a total shift in wealth. there has been a shift in the middle class. and with along it fuel prices will indeed rise.