The Mideast Is Getting A Bit Noisy -- July 7, 2021

What I'm watching now: June Bride (1948) with Bette Davis and Robert Montgomery.  Importance: The Warner Bros released marked the screen debut of Debbie Reynolds, although her appearance was uncredited. My life would have been so different had my father stayed in southern California after his US Navy discharge in 1945 rather than his returning to Sioux Falls, SD. Wow.

At the sidebar at the right, I track the unpleasantness in the mideast at this site: "Mideast On The Brink." It has not been updated in a long time. 

For the archives:

• OPEC in disarray.
• US exits Afghanistan: Taliban set to take over Bagram Air Base.
• "Majors" announce intention to exit Iraq.
• Unexplained explosions continue to be reported across Iran (Israel has a new PM).
• Gasoline prices surging in US: White House asking Saudi Arabia to open the taps to replace the heavy oil that would have come to the US from western Canada via the Keystone XL.

Now this: soaring fuel prices in Lebanon could trigger a "social explosion." Link to Tsvetana Paraskova. 

Lebanon, which is in the midst of a severe economic crisis, is “days away” from a social explosion, the country’s caretaker prime minister warned on Tuesday, moments before renewed, violent protests broke out as people desperately search for essential medicines, gasoline, and food.

“Lebanon is a few days away from the social explosion. The Lebanese are facing this dark fate alone,” caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab said in a speech during a meeting with international organizations and ambassadors.

“I appeal through you to the kings, princes, presidents and leaders of brotherly and friendly countries, and I call upon the United Nations and all international bodies, the international community, and the global public opinion to help save the Lebanese from death and prevent the demise of Lebanon,” Diab added.

Earlier this month, the caretaker government in Lebanon effectively slashed fuel subsidies and raised the prices of gasoline and diesel in the Middle Eastern country which is reeling from an unprecedented economic crisis. 

The Lebanese energy ministry announced a massive increase – by 35 percent – in fuel prices after slashing fuel subsidies amid a severe economic crisis and rallying global commodity prices.