The Persian gulf and the geopolitics of oil

Abstract

The United States has become increasingly entangled in Persian Gulf politics and this involvement will have wide ranging consequences for the geopolitics of oil and its stable flow to world markets. A refocus of US strategy is badly needed: Washington needs to exploit natural alliances among countries that have a stake in a stable Middle East. Internationalisation of issues is the best way to help the Persian Gulf region avoid increasing militarisation. Asian leaders are becoming increasingly worried about their economies' growing dependence on Persian Gulf oil and gas and are likely to be receptive to any multi-national initiative that would make supplies from the region more secure or provide a framework for developing alternative energy substitutes. In particular, the United States could greatly benefit from drawing China into the equation as an oil-importer ally rather than focusing on how Beijing could some day be a strategic rival.