Global Oil Industry Conflict: An Apocalypse End Essay

AbstractHuman beings depend on the resources they derive from the environment for their well up-being and their very survival. Warfargon is a prominent human activity utilize to gain rise to power to these resources. fossil rock rock cover color, swagger, and minerals be vital natural resources that meet crucial human needs. Whether for reassign, for heating, or for everyday goods and services, these resources constitute essential raw material inputs. novel civilization would struggle to survive without readily available access to these resources at reasonable and affordable prices. For these reason, these resources are considered to be strategic resources, critical for field and spheric well-being and prosperity. This study aims to provide detailed information closely oil strifes that cod occurred in the past and how they can be solved in emerging by intake of permanent implicates a great deal(prenominal) as provision of energy through different substance a lot from oil.Key words oil indus estimate, world(a), oil related skirmish, apocalypseIntroductionpetroleum forms the largest percentage of energy consumption in the cosmea, ranging from as low as 30% to as tall as 60%, depending on the countrys energy consumption. Forming the worlds largest industry in terms of dollar value, the industry which includes labor, distri hardlyion, refining as well as retailing is the largest in the world (Venn, 2002).Countries as well as companies and organizations are a strugglee of this importance and put up measures that would gain them access to this all too cardinal good. In most countries, governments see put up measures that ensure that oil as accessible to them. These include providing major valuate snitchs to oil companies on almost all oil explorations as well as extractions. These breaks extend to oil field leases as well the equipment used in oil drilling. Governments also provide heavy public subsidiaries to these companies. In ex change for the favors that the governments offer to the companies, they get to access cheaper oil for their countries. However, while oil has managed to form a larger part of relief in industrialization, it has become the source of conflict in many parts of the world, more so in countries where the precious commodity is produced. crude and conflictThe worlds nations interact with each other in their pursuit of external natural resources through governmental and non-governmental avenues in an awesome variety of bilateral and multilateral ways. These international interactions change with time, ranging from cordial and synergistic to antagonistic and destructive (Cotet & Tsui, 2013, p. 51). For instance, one of the several explicitly enunciated national- hostage objectives of the USA is to protect U.S. frugal interests worldwide by maintaining steady access to energy supplies, other critical resources, and foreign markets. The relations among subdivisions or portions of a nation si milarly range in changing patterns from the harmonious to the discordant. At the negative extreme of these spectra of international and domestic interaction are found overt threats of aggression and the actual pursuit of war (Cotet & Tsui, 2013, p. 51).The resort to war by a nation, a group of nations, or a portion of a nation has been a common approach to achieving a policy objective. The half-dozen or more significant wars currently in progress institute a routine human activity that appears in progress represent a routine human activity that appears not to have changed significantly in the recent decades or centuries in each frequency or in intensity. The global shortage, or perceived shortage, of one or more natural resources, especially oil, contri thates greatly to the champion political behavior and the onset of war (Blomberg, Hess & Jackson, 2009, P. 410).Of the minerals bid coal, oil, natural gas, and uranium, the ones considered as possible thrusts of future wars are oil and uranium (Blomberg, Hess & Jackson, 2009, P. 409). The world has become dependent upon continuing supplies of huge quantities of oil, especially so the industrialise nations. Many nations must depend upon imports to satisfy their contend for this commodity. Among the major powers, Russia, China, and the United Kingdom are self-sufficient, and are also exporters of oil. The USA is at present trade about one-third of its consumption. France, Germany and Japan must import all their oil. The major exporting nations at present are Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, and Mexico. The major exporting kingdom is the Middle easternmost (Blomberg, Hess & Jackson, 2009, P. 409).Wars fought over oil temper in past centuriesA number of wars in the past centuries have been fought over oil1. Oil has additionally caused many conflicts in the world in recent years, for example, the war in the midst of Sudan and South Sudan (Alexander and Keiger, 2002, p. 26). On 10th April, 2012, the sorely s overeign state of South Sudan work the oil center of Heglig. This is a t birth that was granted to Sudan as a peace settlement that enabled Southern Sudan to secede in 2011. In response to this occupation, the northerners mobilized their own forces and drove the greyers out of Heglig (Check and Mdlongwa, 2012, p. 5).This conflict was caused by calculates such as economic differences mingled with the deuce states, and a long-lasting enmity in the midst of the southerners and the northerners. The biggest cause of this conflict however is oil, and the revenues produced by oil 2(Johnson, 2003, p. 115). Another evidence of conflicts caused by oil is the naval clash in the South China Sea3 (Buszynski, 2012, p. 140).Multiple factors drove this conflict, but that like the Sudan situation, energy is the most dominant motive. The area in question is said to be having large deposits of oil and natural gas. All nations rough the island, including Philippines and China want exploit these coffers. Manila asserts a 200-nautical mile absolute economic zone stretching into the South China Sea from its western shoreline, a region it named the West Philippine Sea. Beijing has also asserted sovereignty over the whole area, counting the waters petitioned by Manila. Despite years of dialogue, no solution has been found yet further clashes over oil and other resources are likely (Buszynski, 2012, p. 141).Egypt has also had some oil and energy conflicts with Israel. The Egyptian frequent Petroleum Corporation communicated to the Israeli government that they were handout to terminate the gas acquisition accord, in which Egypt had been providing gas to Israel4. This contract caused months of demonstrations in Cairo by the protestors who succeeded in depositing Hosni Mubarak. This followed many attacks on the pipelines transporting gas to Israel, which the Egyptian armed forces was unable to prevent. The cutoff suggests the use of energy as a form of political warfare (Bradle y and Mitnick, 2013, p. 1).genus Argentina has also been involved in oil conflicts. The Argentinean government announce that it would seize a majority stake in YPF, the nations largest oil company5. This plough would see the Argentinean government lose over one billion dollars a year which was not acceptable. In a nutshell, this particular conflict was mostly kindleled by Argentinas urge to derive greater economic and political benefits from its energy reserves (Erixon and Brandt, 2013, p.9).Causes of oil conflicts in past decadesThe western world was shock by the 1967 embargo by the Arab oil-producing countries and by the following oil crisis of 1973-74 (Blomberg, Hess & Jackson, 2009, P. 410). These events demonstrated the possibility for oil-producing countries to exert an influence on the world oil supply and to use their oil resources for political goals. At the time, many western scholars and politicians expressed the fear over the threat of oil blackmail. Further developme nts showed that the Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) had solo limited possibilities to disrupt oil supplies and that such fear had been exaggerated (Blomberg, Hess & Jackson, 2009, P. 409). Nevertheless, the Middle East remains the best known center of conflict having a capacious raw-material component (Humphreys, 2005, p. 511).The situation in the Middle East is grave and complex for three reasons. First, there is op do between the Arab countries plus Palestine and Israel. Second, there are the difficult relations among a number of the Arab countries themselves6. Third, there are hostilities within some of the countries based on religious and political differences. The war between Iran and Iraq served to end these two countries from list of major oil exporters (Humphreys, 2005, p. 512).The numerous and varied levels of conflict within the Middle East are viewed with favor by at to the lowest degree some of the oil- importation countries for they are thought to maintain the region in a dynamic balance (Newton-Small, 2013, p. 39). The foreign policy of the USA and a number of other states is designed to keep these conflicts alive7. The USA also let it be known that it did not even exclude the possibility of an armed seizure of the Middle eastern oil deposits if it looked as if the region would fall into the hands of the then USSR (Humphreys, 2005, p.520).The downfall in 1979 of the pro-US regime in Iran appeared to be an irrevocable loss to the US position there. Following this event, the USA took compensatory steps to prepare for an alternative presence in the Middle East region8. In 1980, the USA began to develop fast deployment forces capable of bang the Middle East. Additionally, a number of NATO countries take outed military units on the Sinai Peninsula. This enabled these forces to have control over the Suez Canal and the Red Sea region. such(prenominal) action strengthened the Israeli position vis--vis its neighbors (Humphrey s, 2005, p. 523).The USA wanted to create the impression that it was acting on behalf of the whole Western world in striving to guarantee oil supplies for its NATO affiliate. moreover this was contradicted by the US proclamation that An attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf Region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force. Furthermore, the allies of USA experienced substantial economic losses as a result of the US and Israeli foreign policies in the Middle East9. It was also no coincidence that a number of West European nations were do independent, albeit unsuccessful, initiatives to settle the Arab-Israel conflict (Humphreys, 2005, p. 526).Propensity for warPetro-states, states in which revenues from net oil exports constitute at least ten percent of gross domestic product (GDP), are among the most violent states in the wor ld. Such states show a remarkable trend for militarized interstate disputes (MIDs). They engage in MIDs at a rate more than fifty percent higher than non-petro-states. This was not always true. Until about 1970, petro-states were just about as likely to get into international conflicts as non-petro-states. Yet the modern age of oil, which began in earnest after the Arab oil embargo on 1973, created a world in which petro-states play an oversized role in global military affairs. The relatively small group of petro-states has accounted for almost a quarter of all of the worlds international conflicts since 1970 (Colgan, 2010, p. 678).Petro-aggression is the idea that, under certain circumstances, oil exporting states are systematically more likely to act precipitously and instigate international conflicts. Rather than being scarce a magnet for greed and international competition, oil has multiple effects. Oil creates some incentives to increase a petro-states aggressiveness and some incentives to decrease it. The net effect of oil for a petro-states foreign policy depends on how the oil income interacts with the states domestic politics. Oil income has its most negative consequences for international peace when it flows into a state that is led by a government with aggressive preferences. Such reach out often rises in the wake of a domestic political revolution (Colgan, 2010, p. 679).However, not all petro-states are affected by petro-aggression. A common misperception about oil politics is that it has a uniform, monolithic effect on politics. This is not true because the net political effect of oil varies dramatically depending on the record of the petrostate. Large-scale oil income generates multiple political incentives that affect a petro-states foreign policy.One of the more important but subtle incentives is that oil facilitates risk- taking by petro-state leaders10. Consequently, a petro-state leader often faces very little political answerability, and consequently a low threat of being ousted from office for risky and potentially unpopular actions. In non-petro-states, one of the reasons that leaders tend to avoid international conflicts is because they know that if they are defeated, they are incredibly prone to be ousted from office, either peacefully or violently. Yet a leader with huge financial resources to redistribute to purchase political endorse can afford to take chances, counting those concerned with belligerent foreign policy adventurism (Colgan, 2010, p. 680).The net impact of oils multiple effects on a states foreign policy depends critically on its domestic politics, especially the preferences of its leaders. Governments that have come to power by way of a domestic revolution are especially significant. Revolutionary governments are more likely to have aggressive preferences for two reasons. First, revolutionary politics tend to select leaders that are systematically more risk-tolerant and ambitious to revisi on the status quo that non-revolutionary leaders. Second, revolutions tend to eliminate domestic political constraints that might otherwise restrain an aggressive leader from taking a state into conflict or war. Thus, revolutionary states have a higher propensity for aggression than comparable non-revolutionary states, regardless of whether they have oil (Colgan, 2010, p.681).For states in which a revolutionary government has interpreted power, oil amplifies the states propensity to instigate international conflicts. The combination of a risk-tolerant revolutionary leader, financial resources for armed actions, and a lofty scale of political self-sufficiency generated by oil earnings, produces a noxious mix that aids state aggression, which in turn leads to conflict. In non-revolutionary petro-states, the net effect is quite different. Oil still provides incentives for aggression, but these are balanced by the incentives to avoid international conflict, such as the opportunity cost of any potentially disrupted oil exports (Colgan, 2010, p.683).Impact of oil discovery and productionReferred to as the worlds black gold, oil has in the last century or so become a source of hardships and misery in societies where it has been found. Corrupt and authoritarian governments, as well as loop-sided economies, and violent conflict form the order of the day in countries where petroleum producing countries are concerned. Apart from the internal conflict that most of these countries face, there is the fact that huge multinational companies, through military interventions or clandestine operations are able to maneuver for the control of oil fields by using foreign powers (Stoff, 1982, p. 1945).Due to the lucrative nature of the of the oil industry, even within these countries, insurrectionist groups crop up and want to challenge the government hoping that they too would get part of the profits that come from then oil. These rebels are often dissatisfied citizens who have se en the greed that the government is experiencing as well as the greed and corruption that comes with the industry and feel that the government is not giving them their share11. The degree of the rebel conflicts depends on the strength of the rebel group as well as the ability of the government to quash the rebellion. Some rebellions have even led to the formation of new countries such as was South Sudans case (Keable, 2002, p.178).Oil discovered in the between boundaries of two nations has also been cause for conflicts between the countries. These usually lead to boarder conflicts in the regions as well as international conflicts between the two nations because of the oil generators12 (Karl, 1997, p. 120). another(prenominal) then the border conflicts, the damage that oil production causes to the environment has been a course of major demonstrations and strikes that result to lose of lives. Major environmental damages that have resulted either in the production of the oil pr in its transportation such as oil spills have been cause for major uproars all over the world.Finally, there is the fact that oil has become a very expensive commodity. In recent years, the demand for oil has been at an all time high. With high demand comes the need to produce more oil thus more and more oil discoveries are being made all over the world. However, with greater demands comes the rise in the commodities prices. Rise in demand coupled up with rise in prices makes oil a very scarce resource (Heinberg, 2005, p.133). This has created conflict as people all over the world are now fighting to access this scarce commodity. What is even sadder is the fact that this is likely to be the trend in the next years to come this would mean that is no solution is sought in the nearby future the likely hood of an escalation in the conflicts both local and international is likely as far as oil as a resource is concerned.Reasons both international and local as to why oil is a source of conflict In the last century or so oil has managed to become a source of conflict in one way or the other. This is more so because of the fact that in recent years oil reservoirs all over the world have dwindled because of too much usage. Studies have found that the connection between oil and conflict generally boils down to two expansive reasons. Its importance in a particular countrys economic as well as military power as well as its irregular geographic distribution in the globe (Saharan).Its economic significanceOil is the primitive energy source in the world. It accounts for almost 40% of the worlds energy consumption. It plays an important role in ground, air and water transportation. In the transport sector, oil provides up to 95% of the energy used in the industry all over the world. It is also used in other industries mentioned earlier on in the paper. Due to the critical role played by oil in the running of an economy, any shortage of this commodity has been known to create global economic recessions (Brtland, 2004, p. 527). There is also the fact that most countries that are able to export oil get good income from this export. Thus, in countries where the leaders may try to tamper with these exports, they are usually met with strong resistance.Its significance to military powerOil provides the energy used to power military equipments including the planes as well as the tanks, missiles, armored vehicles, and any other instrument that may be used in a war situation. Modern combat is very expensive to fuel due to the advancement in technology it is therefore very important that every country secure their military power by ensuring that that particular military has access to all supplies. Due to the important role that fuel plays in the functioning of a military, governments have ranked fuel possession as a matter of national security13 (Klare, 2004, p. 132).Its importance to oil geographyWhile oil is important at a global scale, its reservoirs are not simply l ocated in any part of the worlds. In fact, natural petroleum is concentrated in large reservoirs in specific parts of the globe. Studies indicate that the largest reservoir which contributes to a third of the worlds petroleum is situated in the Persian Gulf area. The countries situated in this are provide about 90% of the worlds oil. However, in recent years, there is said to have occurred a gravitation oil shift, thus the oil reservoirs in countries that originally produced oil are depleting and oil is being discovered in countries that originally did not have any (Goodstein, 2005, p. 143).Types of oil conflictsOil conflicts often occur in either of two stages. The scratch line is may occur before the oil itself is discovered (Basedau & Wegenast, 2009, p. 39). This is where discovery has been made and it has been found that there is a likely hood of oil discovery. The second one may occur where the oil is already being produced. The reasons for this conflict may be change integri ty into three main reasons.Territorial disputesThese disputes arise where boarders are involved and where offshore areas that are thought to be insignificant are concerned. Most of these places are usually considered insignificant until an oil discovery is made (Deffeyes, 2008, p. 79). Some of the areas considered insignificant until the discovery of oil include the Caspian Sea whose discovery sparked a territorial conflict between Azerbaijan and Iran and the West African Bakassi Peninsula that caused friction between Niger Delta and Cameroon (Ako & Okonmah, 2009, p. 56).Separatist strugglesIn most countries, oil is produced in areas inhabited by ethnic groups. However, the proceeds of the production go to government officials as well national coffers. In this case, the members of the ethnic communities will feel that given the fact that the oil is on their land, and they are not getting anything from the government, then it would be best if they break away from the parent nation to form their own (Ako & Okonmah, 2009, p. 57). This has been the case in Nigeria, Indonesia, and the southern part of Sudan. South Sudan is a recently independent state because of such a conflict (Alao, 2007, 124).Factional and dynastic strugglesOil brings out the evil as well as the dictatorship in individuals. This is because whoever controls the oil and the revenues it brings in controls the nation and its people. Such people want to continue keeping this power and in fact do anything to be able to retain such power. This includes resorting to brute force as well as suppression of the people (Ross, 2012, p. 110). Those not included in the power on the other hand will resort to any means in order to gain control of that power. These groups will resort to rebellion, terrorism, or coups to wrangle power from the powerful14. Dynastic struggles have been a major contributing factor in oil wars at Niger Delta (Frynas, 2001, p. 29).Some of the worlds fuel conflicts as of the last quarter a centuryWhile conflict has been brew all over the world about oil, and who gets to control it, in recent years these conflicts have escalated (Ebel, 2002, p. 162). In fact as of the past years more than two oil conflicts had erupted between nations over oil. Some of the more recent oil conflicts includeThe Sudan and South Sudan conflictThis conflict is still on going to date. Early 2012, troops from the newly formed South Sudan nation occupied an oil center in Heglig, a town that had been granted to Sudan in a treaty between the two nations. The Sudan government organized its troops which were to drive the Southern Sudan troops from the oil center. Since then, there has been conflict between the two nations (Manaz, 2009, p. 74).The southern China Sea naval clashThis particular area is thought to contain large deposits of oil reservoirs. This has elicited a naval clash between the Chinese government and the Filipino government both of who are claiming rights over that particular st retch (Manaz, 2009, p. 72). The Filipino government claims to have discovered the oil and that it would deviate drilling. On the other hand chinaware claims that the place is their territory.Egypt oil conflict with IsraelAs of the year 2012, Egypt had announced that it would cut off its oil supply to Israel. This announcement was followed by months of protests and attacks on the main pipeline that took oil to Israel (Manaz, 2009, p. 72).Syrian oil conflictSyria is a country with massive oil reservoirs and more recently rebels have come up and want a piece of the cake. This has resulted in conflict between the Syrian military and the rebel groups which has recently escalated to the use of chemical weapons (Lyall & Wilson, 2009, p. 70). What is worsened is the fact that nobody is aware of the extent to which this particular war this war is going to before it can end. Even worse is the uncertainty that has been brought about by the presence of the US army in this particular conflict ()Lyall & Wilson, 2009, p. 83).RecommendationsThe only way to reduce conflicts over energy resources such as oil is climax up with new energy sources. These include sources such as solar power. The solar photo-voltaic (PV) is a technology used to convert energy from the sun into electricity. Other alternatives include biogas technology that changes organic waste into power, and micro and pico-hydro technologies, which harness energy from falling water, for example, steep mountain rivers. These new sources of energy can be better and used globally to reduce dependence on oil, thus reducing oil induced conflicts (Todd, 1982, p. 72).ConclusionOil related conflict is a phenomena that has taken a toll in the last quarter a century or so. What is sad is the fact that at the rate at which these conflicts are taking place, with more than five conflicts reported in the last year alone. This indicates that the world is headed more and more conflicts in the future. Evidently, there are issues that are fueling this rapid movement towards an apocalyptic oil conflict end. Other than greed for power as well as money, the shortage in the commodity is causing a panic in the world. Therefore those with oil want to hoard it and sell it at expensive rates while those without it are fighting to get it.Oil is the most important global resource. It is also responsible for most national and international conflicts in the world for many decades and even today. Most oil importing countries such as the USA instigate foreign policies that cause conflicts in the oil exporting countries, thus enabling the USA to swoop in and control their oil reserves. The Oil exporting countries themselves have a great propensity for instigating national and international conflicts as seen in the above points. With this continuing trend, oil could cause an apocalypse end of the world if other new sources of energy are not found.There is also the fact that geography is changing things. Oil is work shift to places that it was not originally available. Given the fact that the countries that originally had oil reservoirs had that much internal conflict, what would happen to countries that did not have the precious black gold but now had access to it? Isnt this an apocalypse in the making?ReferencesAko, R, & Okonmah, P 2009, Minority Rights Issues in Nigeria A Theoretical Analysis of Historical and Contemporary Conflicts in the Oil-Rich Niger Delta Region, International journal On Minority & Group Rights, 16, 1, pp. 53-65,Alao, A. 2007. Natural resources and conflict in Africa The tragedy of endowment. Rochester, NY Univ. of Rochester Press.Alexander, M., & Keiger, J. F. 2002. France and the Algerian War strategy, operations and diplomacy. Journal of strategic Studies, 25(2), 1-32.Basedau, M, & Wegenast, T 2009, Oil and Diamonds as Causes of Civil War in sub-Saharan Africa, Colombia Internacional, 70, pp. 35-59,Blomberg, B, Hess, G, & Jackson, J 2009, Terrorism and the Returns to Oil , Economics And Politics, 21, 3, pp. 409-432,Bradley, M., & Mitnick, J. 2013. Egypt Cancels Israel Gas Deal. 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Berkeley University of California Press.Keable, K 2002, Planning offsets inherent risk in developing countries, Offshore, 62, 8, p. 178,Klare, M. T. 2004. stock and oil The dangers and consequences of Americas growing petroleum dependency. New York Holt.Lyall, J, & Wilson, I 2009, Rage against the Machines Explaining Outcomes in Counterinsurgency Wars, International Organization, 63, 1, pp. 67-106,Manaz, A 2009, Oil And The Middle East Policy, Cag University Journal Of Social Sciences, 6, 2, pp. 70-83,Newman, E. 2004. The new wars debate a historical perspective is needed. Security Dialogue, 35(2), 173-189.Newton-Small, J 2013, Blood For Oil, Time, 181, 6, pp. 38-41,Park, C. H. 1978. The south china sea disputes Who owns the islands and the natural resources?. Ocean Development & International Law, 5(1), 27-59.Roberts, P. 2005. The end of oil On the edge of a perilous new world. Boston, Mass. u.a. Houghton Mifflin.Ross, M. L. 2012. The oil curse How petroleum riches shapes the development of nations. Princeton, N.J Princeton University Press.Sto ff, M. B. 1982. Oil, war, and American security The search for a national policy on foreign oil, 1941-1947. New Haven u.a. Yale Univ. Pr.Todd, R. W. 1982. Alternative energy sources. International Journal of Ambient Energy, 3(2), 69-80.Venn, F. 2002. The oil crisis. London u.a. Longman.1 For example, in the Chaco War of 1932-35, Paraguay annexed a region of Bolivia in the mistaken belief that it contained oil deposits (Hughes, 2005). France was reluctant to lose Algeria in the latter(prenominal)s was independence of 1954-62 partly because of Algerias oil deposits, but was unable to prevail (Alexander and Keiger, 2002). Similarly, Nigeria was reluctant to lose Biafra in the latters bid for independence in 1967-70 in large part owing to the local oil deposits, and was able to thwart Biafras attempt at secession (Newman, 2004). The Paracel island clash of 1974, in which China routed Viet Nam in re-establishing its claim to this island group in the South China Sea, was apparently mot ivated chiefly by the presumed offshore oil deposits (Park, 1978).2 When the country divided in 2011, the most productive oil fields ended up in the South, while the pipeline for transporting the southern oil to international markets remained in the north. They had been demanding much exaggerated fees for the privilege of transporting the southern oil to its markets. The southerners refused to pay such fees, which made the northerners to confiscate money they had already collected from the southern oil exports. This made the southerners to hold producing oil. It made them launch military action against the north. The situation is very explosive to date, caused by the need for oil.3 This happened when a Philippine warship arrived at Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea and detained Chinese fishing boats. The Chinese fishermen were accused of illegal fishing activities in Filipino sovereign waters. In response to this, china sent two of their naval ships to the area, claiming tha t the Philippine warship was harassing Chinese ships in Chinese waters. The fishing ships were allowed to depart without further incident4 This decision to terminate the gas agreement was made as a response to a dispute over the Israeli payments for Egyptian gas. All parties involved interpreted it as part of a drive by Egypts new government to demonstrate greater distance from the ousted Mubarak regime and his policy of cooperation with Israel. The Egyptian-Israeli gas link was the most important outcomes of the 1979 treaty between the two countries. Its annulment signals a period of great conflict. This may cause energy shortages in Israel.5 The government announced that it would take 51% controlling stake in YPF, which was majority-owned by the Repsol YPF, Spains largest energy firm. The seizure of its subsidiary was seen in Madrid as a great threat which had to be combated. The Spaniard government retorted that the Argentinean government had broken the climate of cordiality and friendship that presided over the relations between Argentina and Spain. After a few days, the Spaniard government announced that it would stop importing bio fuels from Argentina, its principal supplier.6 These were between Egypt and Libya between Syria and Iraq between the Peoples Democratic Republic of Yemen and Saudi Arabia and between Iran and Iraq.7 The USA at first actively provided Israel and Iran with military and other assistance inasmuch as these two countries were considered to be stabilizing forces within the region. The USA concomitantly provided similar assistance to Saudi Arabia and other buttoned-down Arab regimes as well as to the nearby states of Somalia and Sudan. One of the justifications put forth by the USA for its military aid to the Middle East and nearby countries was the measure of Soviet expansion into the region.8 At the time of the so-called Camp David accords in 1978 among Egypt, Israel, and the USA provision had been made for the USA to be able to con struct two military air bases for Israel in the Negev desert. The presence of the USA on the Sinai Peninsula also permitted a continuation of the installation, improvement, and operation of an early warning system.9 Arab countries For example, were provoked into placing embargos against the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.10 Oil income is easily controlled by the central government, thereby giving the leader an independent source of financial resources that can be redistributed to buy political support11 Case examples of conflicts that have been sparked by rebels over oil resources include Nigeria and Sudan to mention but a few.12 Recently, South Sudan and Sudan have been having a lot of boarder conflict that can be attributed to the existence of oil reservoirs that each state believes belong to them.13 In countries like the US, terming oil as a matter of national security means that they may resort to military force in order to protect it14 This is the case in countries such as Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. In other countries such conflict arises in form of political indifferences as is the case in Venezuela.