The US-Israeli war of choice is now one week old and at first glance bears all the hallmarks of a new crusade.
The MAGA movement has declared itself to be of Christian faith (topped up with a heavy dose of islamophobia), ‘Secretary of War’ Pete Hegseth brandishes a ‘Deus Vult’ (God wills it) tattoo, and President Donald Trump recently gathered more than a dozen pastors to pray that God gives him “the strength that he needs”.
But for all the evidence of religious zealotry, a more profound change in economic fundamentals can explain the Iran war. The US shale gas revolution is a favourite topic among long-time energy watchers, who know well the story of how this hydrocarbon changed the dynamics of everything from climate to industry.
Since the 1981 Gulf War, America’s gas output has doubled. Ten years ago, the first LNG cargo left the US; today it outstrips the rest of the world for super-chilled liquid gas shipments.
What do you call it when the world’s biggest…
