For the Want of a Nail: U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil and National Security
Abstract
The current supply of relatively inexpensive and easily recovered oil is decreasing as new reserves are being found in increasingly remote or unstable areas, and new sources of oil are becoming progressively more difficult and costly to recover. As America s demand for foreign sources of oil increases, U.S. national security is increasingly vulnerable to interruptions of this supply from unstable states and non-state actors. The US needs to develop an aggressive, cohesive strategy to make itself less dependent on foreign sources of energy. This strategy must take a balanced approach of guaranteeing a secure supply, and reducing demand. As the global demand continues to increase, the competition for this supply will grow and the already strained oil infrastructure will become increasingly stressed. Conflict over the possession and control of vital economic goods- especially resources needed for the functioning of industrial societies will become a distinct possibility. This SRP will examine the U.S. use of oil, and make recommendations that may to be implemented to reduce America s dependence on foreign oil.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA432493
Entities
People
- Donald Root
Organizations
- United States Army War College