Flower Revolution

With Tunisia’s government collapsing in the Jasmine Revolution and Egypt about to undergo the Lotus Revolution the destabilization of Middle Eastern governments is going to drag down the world economies. If the Suez Canal closes then gas prices could be $4 by the end of the week. That would kill the global recovery; even if the Suez Canal remains open the new government will be an unknown quantity controlling one of world’s most vital shipping routes. If the new government is not at least as pro-Western as the current government then America’s Middle East policy is shot. If Israel feels threatened then that will further destabilize the region, and open conflict with a weakened nation state could lead to a regional conflict as neighboring countries rally to defend Egypt.

Regardless of how it turns out in Egypt a second successful overthrow of a government will embolden dissidents in other countries. If things go well and the various human rights organization and clandestine services do their job, we might find out what flower the fall of the Iranian government would get. If things go badly then Saudi Arabia could fall, and be replaced with a hard line government that will not be as ready to sell the Western world oil at reasonable prices. If Saudi Arabia falls I think it should be the Titan Arum Revolution, because the symbology is right… If you haven’t guessed the Titan Arum’s common name is the Corpse Flower.