Energy nightmares. [Politics of oil]

Journal Article · · Foreign Policy; (United States)

OSTI ID:6713661

Nye, Jr, J S

Today, nearly two-fifths of the total oil consumed in the free world economy comes from the Persian Gulf, one of the world's most politically unstable areas. The oil supply is vulnerable to terrorism, accident, warfare, and extortion. The sudden loss of Persian Gulf oil for a year could stagger the world's economy like no event since the depression of the 1930's. The potential foreign policy costs are also large. Since the end of World War II, US strategy has focused on the defense of Europe and Japan, the two greatest concentrations of economic power in the world, excluding the United States and Russia. Their prosperity and alliance with the United States have been central to the post-war balance of power. Energy-security problems pose a new threat to Western prosperity and inject new tensions into US alliances. Indeed, different energy vulnerabilities among the Western nations present better opportunities than do direct military threats for the Soviets or others to disrupt Western alliances. This article chronicles the changing situations in the Persian Gulf oil fields. It puts into perspective some of the key policy decisions that led to the present situation as well as a few suggestions to lessen the US energy security problem.

• OSTI ID: 6713661
• Journal Information: Foreign Policy; (United States), Journal Name: Foreign Policy; (United States) Vol. 40; ISSN FRPLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
294002* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Petroleum
ARABIAN SEA
EMBARGOES
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SOURCES
FOREIGN POLICY
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INDIAN OCEAN
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OAPEC
OIL-EXPORTING COUNTRIES
OPEC
PERSIAN GULF
PETROLEUM
POLITICAL ASPECTS
SEAS
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
SURFACE WATERS