What about the U.S. economic slowdown? Isn't that supposed to reduce demand a bit, and theoretically lower prices?

The decoupling question.

What's your best guess about whether we're going to experience a recession?

You mean new cuts the Fed may yet make? Or cuts the Fed has already made?

The limp dollar has prompted a bickerfest between President Bush, who's been urging the OPEC oil nations to produce more oil so prices will fall, and OPEC leaders, who say the problem isn't limited production but the weak dollar and economic woes in the United States.