Topic: Oil Politics

An assassination attempt on a Bulgarian political leader, where the gun misfired at point-blank range, is analyzed as a potential "message" rather than a genuine killing attempt. The incident coincided with Bulgaria pulling out of the Burgas-Alexandropolis oil pipeline project, which is a major Russian interest. The hosts suggest the event was rigged to intimidate the government.

Gasoline prices are projected to reach six dollars per gallon following reports of a pipeline explosion in Saudi Arabia and supply disruptions from Iran. Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu faces criticism for allegedly favoring high fuel prices to promote alternative energy sources. The discussion references F. William Engdahl's book, A Century of War, to compare current economic conditions to the 1972 oil crisis and the Weimar Republic.