Fracking has played a vital role in boosting America's image as an energy-independent Superpower that can pick and choose its overseas involvements. But how solid is the industry? Does it actually make the profits that justify the vast amounts of investment poured into it? Or is it a chimera, dependent on cheap debt, high oil prices, and "co-operation" from the Saudis? Also, could instability here set off another economic crisis? This podcast from Bethany McLean, author of Saudi America and Jyoti Thottam, business and economics opinion editor for The New York Times, is well worth a listen to familiarise yourself with these important issues.
