Oil
Somehow we survived the oil problems in the 70s, and during the Iran-Iraq all-out war. I'm not sure that the current problems are going to result in supply disasters, either. Remember, Iraq was under an oil export restriction for years, and we import none at all from Iran.
Of all Persian Gulf oil, which accounts for only about 17 percent of our imports, Saudi Arabia accounts for over 66 percent of that, and they have a lot to gain by making sure that nothing happens to that cash cow.
Of all the issues you raise here, how many would still be issues if Bush wasn't president? Or is Saddam being in charge of Iraq, given his behavior over the past twenty years, a calming sign of predictability in oil prices?