Saudis may increase oil production (but not for Bush)

Last month, George W. Bush visited his buddy King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and asked that the Saudis increase oil production in an attempt to reduce gasoline prices. King Abdullah "resisted" Bush's pressure, instead blaming speculation, not supply shortages, for the high prices.

Now, however, according to the British newspaper The Independent, Saudi Arabia has indicated that it "will raise oil production to record levels within weeks in an attempt to avert an escalation of social and political unrest around the world."

This comes after King Abdullah met with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon over the weekend to discuss the issue.

This seems to suggest that Bush has no more clout, not even in the oil business. But the international community -- when they negotiate nicely -- can get more positive results.