Soviet Perceptions Of The Oil Factor In U.s. Foreign Policy: The Middle Eastgulf Region

by Herbert L. Sawyer

Overview

America's energy position, and that of the West in general, is vulnerable. The major source of that vulnerability is the potential that oil supplies from the Gulf1 could be interrupted for an extended period. The fact that during the first quarter of 1983 U.S. crude oil imports dropped to 2.8 million barrels a day (mbd) from 4 mbd during the same quarter in 19822 (a very substantial decrease of thirty percent from what. was already a relatively low level) is less comforting than it appears. In spite of this decrease in demand, U.S. reserve stocks could be eliminated by an increased demand for oil stemming from a vigorous economic recovery, in the the West. If, in the context of such a recovery, the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) could overcome their current disagreements and introduce some discipline regarding production. levels, they might be able to reestablish a tight supply situation in the world oil market. Moreover, even if such developments do not take place, there is always the chance of a major upheaval in the Middle East-Gulf region, given the volativity of the area, that could be disruptive enough to cause a substantial reduction in oil supplies. In this context, it must be recognized that America's energy vulnerability is inseparable from that of the West in general, because of the fungability of oil.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781000312645
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/21/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	183
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Sawyer, Herbert L.

Table of Contents

Preface -- Methodology -- Acknowledgements -- 1 INTRODUCTION -- 2 UNITED STATES-IRANIAN RELATIONS -- 3 NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENTS FROM THE SOVIET PERSPECTIVE -- General Developments -- Salient Events -- American Initiatives -- 4 THE ANTI-SOVIET "ALLIANCE" -- The United States and China -- The United States and Pakistan -- The United States and Saudi Arabia -- 5 THE SOVIET RESPONSE TO THE AMERICAN REACTION -- Propaganda -- Diplomacy -- Economic Instruments -- Military Instruments and Subversion -- 6 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS -- Endnotes -- Bibliography -- Index.