The Rise and Fall of OPEC

The Rise and Fall of OPEC

From Everything Everywhere Daily: History, Science, Geography & More by Gary Arndt

May 5, 2026 · 15 min · Episode 2129

About this episode

This episode explores the creation, rise, and decline of OPEC and its impact on the global economy.

In 1960, a handful of oil-producing nations made a decision that would reshape the global economy. They formed a cartel to control the world’s most vital resource, challenging powerful corporations and altering the balance of global power. Over the decades, that organization would trigger crises, fuel economic booms, and influence energy prices across every corner of the planet. Learn more about the creation, rise, and eventual decline of OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. In 1960, a handful of oil-producing nations made a decision that would reshape the global economy. They formed a cartel to control the world’s most vital resource, challenging powerful corporations and altering the balance of global power. Over the decades, that organization would trigger crises, fuel economic booms, and influence energy prices across every corner of the planet. Learn more about the creation, rise, and eventual decline of OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Sponsors Newspapers.com Honor the past by uncovering its stories at Newspapers.com Promo Code…

People in this episode

Host: Gary Arndt

Topics covered

  • OPEC
  • oil
  • global economy
  • cartel
  • energy prices
  • economic crises

Keywords

  • OPEC
  • oil-producing nations
  • global power
  • energy prices
  • economic booms
  • crises

Sponsors

Newspapers.com, Samsara, ButcherBox, Quince

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: OPEC

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