Does the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review Support America's Ability to Ensure Access to Saudi Arabian Oil?
Abstract
In February 2006 terrorists attacked the Abqaiq oil production facility in Saudi Arabia, the largest of its kind in the world. This attack is just the most recent in a string of attacks pointing out the growing insurgency in the Kingdom and its potential to drastically cut oil supplies to the West. In 2005 Americans were reminded of their vulnerability to sudden price spikes in the price of fuel as prices rose dramatically. America's economy recovered quickly but the evidence of vulnerability to oil supply interruptions remains. These events cause concern that oil supplies are vulnerable to insurgent attacks, and that Saudi Arabia's large reservoir of oil may one day be under the control of extremists. Can the United States prevent this from occurring? The 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) establishes a future force structure that brings into question America's ability to ensure access to Saudi Arabian oil given the threats to the regime and in the region. Will the 2006 QDR forces be sufficient? This paper addresses this question identifying several areas of concern for further analysis and consideration.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA449338
Entities
People
- Emmett Schaill
Organizations
- United States Army War College