THE recent kidnapping of the Venezuelan leader and his wife from their bedroom to New York is apparently part of a much bigger international geopolitical and economic game plan. Whenever the United States economy is in trouble, there is a war and turmoil somewhere in the world, especially in South Asia and the Middle East. Since Saudi Arabia has been acting a bit indifferently towards America and its Middle East policies, it had to be put right.

A few years ago, a World Bank report stated that if the oil prices drop below $50 per barrel in the international market, the Saudi budget would go into deficit. Now, the US control of the Venezuelan oil will make it possible to flood the international market, bringing the oil prices below that critical level.

The present turmoil created in Iran should also be seen in this context. Once there is a change in the Iranian setup, sanctions would be lifted and Iranian oil would also become available in the international markets, bringing the oil prices further down. The US strategy is basically about killing two birds with one stone.

Abid S. Mustikhan Karachi