Wow, there have been some quite novel and very sophisticated arguments made, perhaps in an attempt to prove that one does not need the simplest or most basic understanding of reality on earth, in order to become a space cadet. This is not meant as an insult to any one person at all! In fact, it is meant to show the very opposite. Any individual can continue to present and argue some new and
interesting theories, based upon principles that may be alien and useless to us on earth, but firmly grounded
somewhere in the universe. Hence, the opportunity for a person to pursue his/her reality as a space cadet ("Houston, we have a problem")!
Hey, it's all in good fun!
Collapsing a Gov't is difficult enough, especially from the outside. Collapsing strong economies in today's world is not impossible, but it's in the same neighborhood. Now, if you have control of your country's economy, yes, you could kill it if that's the goal (destruction from within is normally not in a State's self-interest).
As Swerve, Waylander, Snayke, and some others have
pointed out, it's not so simple and makes no "cents," for some country's to attempt to engage in economic warfare, unless those country's are attempting to commit their own suicide.
I think enough of the basic principles have been pointed out. For example, the "Buy high, sell low," argument is definitely different, but wisdom probably isn't involved in that thought process. There will be a very long line of people who'd be more than happy to buy those "discounted"
investments. One would have to wonder if those "suddenly pulling $1 Trillion," understood "investment" (just the word/concept) in the first place.
Perhaps, looking at just one of Prince Bandar's house's/estate's in can be used as a small example. He's had this $135-$150 million asset/investment on the market in Aspen CO. for a good length of time already ("suddenly pulling out investments"? Not so much. Not so sudden.) Maybe, if he were willing to take a loss in order to sell the large home ($75M?), someone would take it off his hands. If not, that $135M-$150M valued party-property continues to be a great source of property tax income for the US (as long as it sits in the "Saudi asset dept." Saudi money is flowing into the US due to their asset).
When we stop talking about "chump change," and look at some places where larger sums of money exist, there are usually some "rules/laws" and "oversight." The NYSE is worth $10 Trillion+ on its own (maybe valued at something more, this is just off the top of my head). Let's say all $1 Trillion is invested in the market, how does one, "suddenly sell off all of those 'assets'"? Before that's
explained, just read some SEC rules.
However, if laws, computers that WILL shut-down the market, and so on didn't exist, I'd love to see the "asks" go across the screen (just for comedy).
The same goes for Banks! "I'd like to withdraw $1 Trillion. Please put it all in a suitcase with newly printed $100 Notes only. Thanks"!
-"No problem sir! But first let me show you where we sell the suitcase. Our cheapest model is this beautiful piece that will carry all that paper. It only cost's $1 Trillion, but it's top quality and 100% made in the USA. Shall I start filling the suitcase with paper"?
Hyperbole, but one should probably know how banks work, before proposing the impossible.
Going into detail regarding China gets more complicated, but Swerve and others make it clear why Economic Warfare will not cripple Western economies,
it will destroy that of the ME. If ME/Oil can get China to buy it's product in Yuan, China could become one of the worlds largest oil suppliers (i.e. cheap oil)
-911 cost the US well over $1 Trillion (add other Western countries and use whatever multiple you want).
-The US war in Iraq is approaching $1 Trillion.
The economy is still "working."
-Throw in another $Trillion that the ME pulls out of the US.
Done?
Now the US and CFS pull out of Iraq (troops/people, not paper). How do oil states pay for protection? $1 Trillion in Arms from West (or do Arms prices rise)? Nice.
That $1 Trillion invested in going oil free could go a long way. Want to buy Western products that don't need oil? Do the Chinese want to keep (buying) producing products that need oil, especially if the West has alternatives? What do they sell anymore? High priced oil based items? Maybe India and China want an oil price war... Not so much!
As I and other's mentioned, oil isn't a drink, unless gold is traded for goods, there will be a large and upset population.
Having said this, I'm frankly impressed with the UAE. They've looked towards the future and almost completely changed and diversified their economy. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are having a "friendly war" (invested crazy Biiiiiiilions) over who will become the top hub and the top destination of the ME. I believe they're set to become the largest economy in the ME, if it hasn't already happened. Same with the largest buyers of arms from the West. They're building a large "space program." See the recent deals with Boeing and other Western companies that they've made. This is what's called investment. Taking money made in one area, and turning it (over) into owning tangible assets that are built upon. The two smallest countries in the ME have realized this, and I don't question why they are the 2 most advanced countries in the ME. Do you?
JMHO,
peace and off to "la la land"