The United States and the Middle East: interdependence not independence

Abstract

AbstractFor a long time, the US policymakers have called for restrain over the country's high rate of oil consumption, as well as reducing its dependence on imported oil from the Middle East. It is against this backdrop that this study examines America's efforts to articulate a comprehensive long‐term energy policy to address, among other things, these concerns. In doing so, the study began by analysing the US Energy Policy Act of 2005, (Public law 109–58) given particular attention to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Gulf of Mexico. The paper also discusses energy cooperation between the US and two Middle Eastern OPEC producers ‐ Saudi Arabia and Libya. The paper attempts to put up a three‐fold argument: that US heavy dependence on oil is likely to continue; that production from OPEC Members, particularly from Middle East, will meet the growing US and global oil demand, and that unilateral approach to energy issues will not succeed, but an inclusive approach to promote cooperation between producers and consumers to best serve the interests of all players and enhance global economic prosperity.