[innguest]

Why does the author keep saying "If OPEC doesn't interfere"? Is the author in favor of price-fixing? I thought all sane human beings understand that a monopoly controlling the price of something is bad.

That's why the author did not mention the reason that "OPEC doesn't interfere" is that the Saudis are waiting for this new price level to bankrupt the Shale enterprise in the US.

[civilian]

I also read an article talking about how the Saudi's wanted to ruin Iran. And another one about how they want to ruin Russia. I feel like any simple explanation like that is probably wrong.

They realize that OPEC doesn't have enough of a majority of the production to take true advantage of lowering prices. America isn't part of the cartel, so our shale companies would be making out with a lot of money, b/c they're not going to lower production.

http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21635510...

However, yeah, it's definitely weird how some journalists are coming out in favor of cartels in this scenario. I assume it's from not having a well-rounded education.