Persian Gulf and the national interest. Professional paper
With gasoline lines a fading memory, it is easy for Americans to misinterpret the energy crisis as overinflated, and even easier to underestimate the importance of the Persian Gulf. Yet, it was just two years ago that former President Carter designated the Persian Gulf as a region of vital national interest. His purpose, in what came to be known as the Carter Doctrine, was to help ensure the steady flow of petroleum to the world market. President Reagan has subsequently confirmed that policy by increasing the U.S. military presence in the Inidan Ocean, strengthening the Rapid Deployment Force (RDF), and selling AWACS and other advanced military equipment to Saudi Arabia. What seemed to be a sensible policy direction with the turmoil in Iran, skyrocketing oil prices, and the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, has come under increasing criticism in the light of today's plentiful supplies of oil. A growing chorus of optimists argues that reliance on the unfettered market will give us a future of abundant energy and freedom from dependence on oil imports.
- Research Organization:
- Center for Naval Analyses, Alexandria, VA (USA). Naval Studies Group
- OSTI ID:
- 5125607
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-112505/3; CNA-PP-339
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020700* -- Petroleum-- Economics
Industrial
& Business Aspects
021000 -- Petroleum-- Legislation & Regulations
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
294002 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Petroleum
ARABIAN SEA
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INDIAN OCEAN
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
MARKET
MIDDLE EAST
MILITARY EQUIPMENT
NATIONAL SECURITY
NORTH AMERICA
PERSIAN GULF
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
SEAS
SECURITY
SURFACE WATERS
USA