New Threat on Gulf Oil Puts Security Forces on Alert

Based on what United States and regional security sources described as credible intelligence of a possible maritime terrorist attack against Saudi and Bahraini coastal and offshore oil installations, radical Islamists in the Persian Gulf appear to be heeding al-Qaeda second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri’s call to target Persian Gulf oil infrastructure. U.S. and British sources believe that al-Qaeda militants have their sights set on Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura facility. With a total loading capacity of six million barrels per day, Ras Tanura is the world’s largest offshore oil export terminal (Gulf Daily News, October 28). Bahrain’s Bapco oil refinery is also believed to be under threat of attack. Western and regional capitals are taking these warnings seriously. U.S., British and partner Western navies comprising the Italian-led Coalition Task Force 152 that patrols international waters near Ras Tanura have deployed forces in support of Saudi and Bahraini military and security forces (al-Jazeera, October 28).

Boy, it sure is a good thing we are drilling for oil in ANWR and off the coast of Florida to cushion against any possible disruptions in supply. Oh wait.

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