Why Oil Affects Middle East Policy and Conflict

The world runs on money or its equivalent in precious commodities. Today, no commodity, after food, exists that is more desirable to larger portions of the population than oil. Petroleum touches almost every area of our life even if transportation is removed from the picture.

Plastics use petroleum as part of the ingredients for manufacture. The world around us is becoming more and more made of plastic everyday. This same plastic can be spun into polyester thread and put into clothing. Life-saving medical equipment uses plastic bags, tubes, and syringes. Cars, radios, televisions, computers, and an almost endless list of products all have plastic as part of their make up.

Petroleum products heat our homes, shod our feet, and of course move us and goods from place to place. Make no mistake, our world today needs petroleum. Oil is petroleum, and the Middle East nations know they control most of the production at this time. All nations line up at their door with a cup in hand looking for more oil.

Oil gives Middle East nations huge influence in world affairs. Countries can restrict the amount of oil that they will buy if a nation makes them angry. We see this when the United States and her allies placed an embargo on Iranian oil. However, this has not made a reduction in demand for Iranian oil. It just changed the customers standing in line.

When world stock markets sniff the possibility that oil may not flow as freely as the world wants and needs, it sends them into a nosedive. This keeps prices high and Middle East coffers full. With this glut of cash, these nations are positioned to finance political actions at home and abroad.

They can help channel cash to candidates who they believe will help further their causes. Even with restrictions for foreign contributions, United States presidential candidates manage to get money funneled through to their cash reserves. This buys influence on foreign policy decisions.