Winter is Coming...For Saudi Oil Prices! Will the Kingdom Fall?

A Lannister Always Pays His Debts But Can Saudi Arabia?

My loyal subjects it seems the whispers of winter are not just chilling the Seven Kingdoms but also the desert sands! Goldman Sachs these… *economists* are saying Saudi Arabia’s budget deficit could double. Double I say! It appears even kingdoms built on sand – or rather oil – are not immune to the vagaries of the market. The Iron Bank must be watching closely and we all know what happens when debts go unpaid! I will take what is mine with fire and blood....or strategic financial planning.

Vision 2030: More Like a Financial Mirage?

This 'Vision 2030' of theirs a grand plan to diversify away from oil sounds suspiciously like my own attempts to tame the Dothraki. Ambitious certainly but perhaps a bit… Khaleesi esque in its scope? They're building this city Neom in the desert. It's supposed to be bigger than Massachusetts. I've heard whispers that its cost are around 1.5 trillion dollars. They claim it will be hyper futuristic. Is it truly worth that gold price or will it turn to ashes like the promises of a certain silver tongued lord from King's Landing?

World Cup Woes: More Like World's Biggest Money Pit!

And hosting the World Cup? The World Expo? Baah! These tournaments are expensive endeavors even the Unsullied know that! It reminds me of the tourney thrown in honor of my arrival at King's Landing. All pomp and circumstance but at what cost to the realm? Saudi Arabia needs oil prices high to balance their books and now the forecast shows the prices dropping? It seems someone is trying to plot against the Iron Throne or in this case the Saudi Riyal.

Borrowing Trouble: A Game of Thrones with Debt

These economists are predicting a massive surge in their deficit if oil prices remain low. 'More borrowing cutbacks selling assets,' they say. Sounds like King's Landing after a long winter. They have headroom to borrow but everyone also thought the White Walkers were just a myth! The Debt to GDP ratio of the USA and France is even more significant but I am not in charge of them yet.

Neom on the Chopping Block? Burn It All Down!

Rumors abound that Neom may face cuts. Perhaps this mega city will become a mega ruin. Honestly if I were them I would get on my dragons and find somewhere else to invest this gold. They could always burn down the whole project and rebuild it that always works for me.

A Crisis Averted? Or Just the Calm Before the Storm?

Despite the troubles the economists assure us that there is no crisis. They have a good credit rating and high foreign reserves. Yet even the most fortified castle can crumble. They should remember my words: 'When you play the game of thrones you win or you die. There is no middle ground.' This oil game is no different.