As 2003 began, there were tremendous concerns over the uncertainty of the political situation in the Middle East. In particular, the potential for war in Iraq and further tensions between Arabs and Israelis led to worries about crude oil availability and prices. Since that time, there has been a war in Iraq, with U.S. and British forces ousting Saddam Hussein from power. Still, there remains instability, as sporadic attacks are still occurring in that nation. As a result of these matters, oil ...