Look, I don't think President Obama would have bowed to the ruler of Saudi Arabia if he didn't have oil to the degree that the Saudis do. I think they and other producing states, almost all of whom, except Norway and Canada, are dictatorships or autocratic systems, have thrown their weight around because of oil.
R. James Woolsey, Jr.Countries are effectively paid deference in direct and indirect ways if they're huge oil suppliers.
R. James Woolsey, Jr.