Oil specualtion has been a main driver of the price of crude for some time now, but I don't see any maliciousness behind them other than trying to squeeze as many greenbacks out of the market as possible. That leads to the price flucuating higher when there's a storm brewing in the Gulf, or when a small pipeline is severed in Yemen, or the rebels in Nigeria attack a refinery.

Capitalism at its finest.

But I do believe the intent could be there if some smart trader wanted to screw with the West.

Finally, I agree with those who say economic warfare has been around since the beginning of mankind...