You know what, you are to OPTIMISTIC, and not REALISTIC. If you think that China is going to let them wither on the vine, you are being silly. CHINA NEEDS OIL! Who do you think they want to purchase it from? Think USA? House of Saud? Kuwait? or Iran and Russia!
Now you are going to tell me/us, WHY would China do that if the price of oil was 20 bucks a barrel, and to help Russia, they would need to fork over 60!
Because China knows that the price was being MANIPULATED to hurt their friend. They wouldn't purchase oil from Russia and Iran at 60 if the price on the market was 20, but they would float them cash; and when the price broke whatever the deal was set at for oil, Russia and Iran would then ship them oil to balance the books.
Listen CAREFULLY to what I am telling you Litwin------------>we lend leased BILLIONS of arms during WWII when a billion dollars, was actually a billion dollars. If you think China can't float 10 or 20 billion in futures oil contracts for Russia and Iran, giving them instant access to cash when needed, then you do not know world finances.
The ONLY way to screw Russia and Iran as long as China has a stake, is to dramatically LOWER oil prices for an extended period of time........like 18 months. China could/would NOT float that marker for that long.
But to do this........you had better hope that DJT knows how to get the price down into the 50 to 60 dollar range with his "drill, baby drill" mantra. If he does, your scenario is viable. If he doesn't, you better start thinking of a better idea!