[ksk]

That is a very valid point, however, how long before the US can't get away with simply printing money during financial crises ? :)

[bluGill]

Longer than those of us who oppose printing money would like. The US economy has many different parts that stand well on the world stage and so it can get away with things.

Agriculture in the US is something that the middle east cannot duplicate. They could duplicate some other industry, though some of it has historical roots that will be hard to overcome starting from scratch.