"'This could be a game-changer in the geopolitical balance of power in the Middle East,' argued Jack Halpern, head of the The Israel Energy Partnership. 'Until now, OPEC oil has funded the Middle East arms race, financed terrorism, enabled Iran to pursue development of a nuclear bomb, and convinced oil purchasing nations in Europe and Asia to support Israel's enemies in the hope that they could then get access to Middle East oil. If Israel were the world's largest producer of oil, instead, all of that would change'" [Dry Bones].
The Philippines is a member of EAS (East Asia Summit), APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), the Latin Union, the Group of 24, the Non-Aligned Movement, the World Bank, IMF (International Monetary Fund), WTO (World Trade Organization), ABS (Asian Development Bank, which is headquartered in Mandaluyong City), the Colombo Plan, and the G-77. It is also seeking to strengthen relations with Islamic countries by campaigning for observer status in the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation). It was a member of the now dissolved SEATO, a group that was intended to serve a role similar to NATO and that included Australia, France, New Zealand, Pakistan, Thailand, the UK, and the US. It is currently considered a major non-NATO partner. As a founding and active member of the United Nations, The Philippines has been elected several times into the Security Council. Carlos P. Romulo was a former President of the UN General Assembly. In addition to UN membership, The Philippines is also a founding and active member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
