Geopolitics And Energy In Iraq

Part of this paper addresses the issue of the March 7, 2010 national election; the selection of a prime minister; and whether the promise held by the election will be fulfilled. If not, will the country return to the sectarianism conflicts that characterized its past/ Senior Iraqi officials fear that the troop drawdown could well result in a power vacuum to be filled by insurgents. The report also addresses the issue of the Iraq oil and gas sector, including security of the critical infrastructure, the role that sector has played over the years, its current position, and the prospects held for achieving a place in the world oil market commensurate with its reserves in the ground. Iraq continues to be the great unknown in terms of future world oil supply and is likely to remain so for the near term at least, if not longer should political constraints remain. The report concludes with a look at the electricity sector and the general public unhappiness with inadequate supplies.

This study examines how Iraq's oil and natural gas policies and domestic political developments will impact global energy markets. The Baker Institute investigates the implications for U.S. and Japanese energy security and global geopolitics and also considers potential areas for U.S. and Japanese cooperation on Iraq policy. Attention is given to how trends in Iraq's policies will affect U.S.-Iraqi relations and the level of involvement of the U.S. and other international oil industry in Iraq's domestic oil and gas sector, including in the development of export oriented infrastructure and strategies. The impact of internal political and geological trends in Iraq on international oil markets in the coming decades is examined, including details of Iraq's oil export strategies and plans for export infrastructure development. Researchers assess Iraq's long term goals inside OPEC and how its ambitions might influence OPEC policies in the longer term. Discussion includes analysis of how Iraq's export ambitions will influence its relations with Iran and with the major oil producing countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Petroleum is the most valuable commodity in the world and an enormous source of wealth for those who sell it, transport it and transform it for its many uses. As the engine of modern economies and industries, governments everywhere want to assure steady supplies. Without it, their economies would grind to a standstill. Since petroleum is not evenly distributed around the world, powerful countries want to be sure they have access to supplies and markets, whatever the cost to the environment or to human life. Coveting the petroleum of another country is against the rules of international law — yet if accomplished surreptitiously, under the cover of some laudable action, it's a bonanza. This is the basis of "the petroleum game," where countries jockey for control of the world's oil and natural gas. It's an ongoing game of rivalry among global and regional countries, each pursuing its own interests and using whatever tools, allies and organizations offer possible advantage. John Foster has spent his working life as an oil economist. He understands the underlying role played by oil and gas in international affairs. He identifies the hidden issues behind many of the conflicts in the world today. He explores military interventions (Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria), tensions around international waterways (Persian Gulf, South China Sea), and use of sanctions or political interference related to petroleum trade (Iran, Russia, Venezuela). He illuminates the petroleum-related reasons for government actions usually camouflaged and rarely discussed publicly by Western politicians or media. Petroleum geopolitics are complex. When clashes and conflicts occur, they are multi-dimensional. This book ferrets out pieces of the multi-faceted puzzle in the dark world of petroleum and fits them together.

The second background report in the New Energy, New Geopolitics series, this report evaluates the geopolitical and national security impacts of the dramatic increase in the production of shale gas and light tight oil in the United States. It examines how the unconventional energy trend has already impacted U.S. national security and geopolitics and then posits several possible energy futures that could emerge from the unconventional revolution. This report pairs with the original "New Energy, New Geopolitics" report and two other background reports, all available from Rowman & Littlefield: New Energy, New Geopolitics: Balancing Stability and Leverage New Energy, New Geopolitics: Background Report 1: Energy Impacts New Energy, New Geopolitics: Background Report 3: Scenarios, Strategies, and Pathways

This path-breaking study attempts to define a new international dimension to energy policy that takes account of the dramatic political changes since the oil crises of the 1970s. This 'new geopolitics of energy' is creative rather than defensive, aligned to market-oriented development rather than state management. But governments have a role in promoting stable international conditions for trade and investment in energy, which in turn contribute to wider political stability; the development of more widely acceptable options for nuclear power; coordinated international action to mitigate the risks of climate change and other environmental impacts. This book is invaluable reading for executives and analysts in the energy business, and for strategic thinkers who believe that broader policies should in keeping with current energy trends.

This report evaluates the energy and geopolitical shifts that have arisen from the production of shale gas and light tight oil in the United States. It begins by assessing how much the unconventional energy trend has already impacted energy, geopolitics, and national security. The report then posits several possible energy futures that could emerge from the unconventionals revolution. Finally, it offers views on the major geostrategic question: how will the United States seek to utilize this, so far, domestic resource trend, and given the range of potential future energy outcomes, what might the geopolitical and national security implications be. This report pairs with three background reports, all available from Rowman & Littlefield: New Energy, New Geopolitics: Background Report 1: Energy Impacts New Energy, New Geopolitics: Background Report 2: Geopolitical and National Security Impacts New Energy, New Geopolitics: Background Report 3: Scenarios, Strategies, and Pathways