Pipeline Precautions Undermine Saudi Arabia's Oil Strategy Saudi Arabia's decision to shut down its East West pipeline following drone attacks from Iraq highlights the kingdom's escalating vulnerability to regional conflicts.
The 7 million barrel a day conduit, touted as a vital alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, has become an attractive target for those seeking to disrupt global oil supplies.
The recent uptick in Middle Eastern hostilities has been marked by increasing aggression against Saudi energy facilities, including strikes on Abha, Najran, and Jazan.