Is America's Thirst for Expensive Oil Fueling Dictators?

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After a decade in which oil-producing countries struggled with weak markets, booming prices have suddenly rearranged global politics. All but forgotten during the 1990's, OPEC now is influencing decisions from Washington to Beijing. Also, producing stem cells without destroying human embryos, and Southeast Asia's booming trading powers try to unite. Will concerns about Myanmar's military dictators leave them divided? Jim Sterngold guest hosts.

After a decade in which oil-producing countries struggled with weak markets, booming prices have suddenly rearranged global politics. All but forgotten during the 1990's, OPEC now is influencing decisions from Washington to Beijing. How will Washington deal with powerful oil exporters who are determined to confront US might? Also, producing stem cells without destroying human embryos, and Asia's tiger economies have long put business ahead of politics, but now they must confront Myanmar's democracy crackdown.  Jim Sterngold guest hosts.

(L-R) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud attend the OPEC meeting in Riyadh, 17 November 2007
Photo: Hassan Ammar/AFP/Getty Images

From this Episode:

Credits

Host:

Jim Sterngold

Producers:

Christian Bordal, Sonya Geis, Karen Radziner