دم و نفط

by Michael T. Klare

أمريكا و استراتيجيات الطاقة: إلى أين؟

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Economics, History, Current Affairs, American, Middle East

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Michael T. Klare is a Five Colleges professor of Peace and World Security Studies, whose department is located at Hampshire College, defense correspondent of The Nation magazine, and author of Resource Wars and Blood and Oil: The Dangers and Consequences of America's Growing Petroleum Dependency (Metropolitan).

Klare also teaches at Amherst College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Klare also serves on the boards of directors of Human Rights Watch, and the Arms Control Association. He is a regular contributor to many publications including The Nation, TomDispatch, Mother Jones, and is a frequent columnist for Foreign Policy In Focus.

Reviews

[آلاء · Rating 4 out of 5]

أنا مثل رفعت إسماعيل أقبل الأمريكان كأشخاص فرادى وقد أحب بعضهم ولكني أكرههم عندما يجتمعون في صورة دولة أو جيش، إدارة أو شركات
أشعر باختناق شديد من وجودهم في الحالة الثانية
بشركاتهم ذات التاريخ الخبيث الذي لم يترك بقعة في الأرض دون أن تطالها أسلحتهم وحفاراتهم النفطية وبنياتهم التحتية التي لم تترك غابات ولا أحياء أو أموات..

النفط هو المورد الطبيعي الأكثر إثارة للنزاعات والحروب في السنوات الحديثة من تاريخ البشرية وفي المستقبل -بالتأكيد- إلى أن ينضب..

يتحدث الكاتب عن النفط الذي تسبب في إراقة الدم الأمريكي في مناطق مختلفة من العالم وأهمها العراق والخليج.. بالتأكيد لم يهتم الكاتب بالمقارنة بين أرقام قتلى الأمريكيين وبين من قتل من العرب في تلك الحروب ولكني لست آسفة فليس مطلوبا ولا متوقعًا من كاتب أمريكي أن يدافع عن ضحايانا الذين لم ننشغل نحن بهم، كان مايكل كلير فقط يريد إعادة أبناء أمريكا من الخليج كما عادوا من أفغانستان منذ عامين..

بدأ الكاتب بسرد تاريخ النفط، واكتشافه بالسعودية وبدايات شركة أرامكو السعودية، والعلاقات بين الإدارة الأميركية والبيت الحاكم في السعودية
وكيف تطورت علاقة الولايات المتحدة بالنفط من وقت الحرب العالمية عندما كان لديها احتياطات تغطي اكثر من نصف احتياجاتها بكثير إلى أن أصبحت تابعة بالكلية للنفط الخارجي وتحديدا من السعودية، وتحدث كل التدخلات العسكرية الأمريكية من أجل النفط وعن احتلال العراق، وكيف تم استغلاله في الانتخابات الأمريكية، وكل ما تم تدبيره خلف الكواليس للوصول إلى النفط العراقي كهدف رئيس.
تحدث الكاتب عن مساوئ تبعية الولايات المتحدة النفطية التي تورطها في دم أنظمة استبدادية تعتبر الأشهر في تمزيق وثيقة حقوق الإنسان وأبعد ما تكون عن الديمقراطية التي اتخذتها أمريكا شعارا وذريعة لتعيين نفسها شرطيا للعالم وقدم اقتراحات للتخلص من تلك التبعية المهينة..
من ضمن موضوعات الكتاب المهمة كان موضوع المناطق النفطية الأخرى(مثل منطقة القوقاز وأمريكا اللاتينية، إضافة لملاذ الحياة البرية في ألاسكا الذي تعد تجارب التنقيب عن النفط داخله جريمة تضاف لقائمة جرائم أمريكا ) تلك المناطق التي تدّعي الإدارات الأمريكية أنها تصلح بديلا لمنطقة الخليج وذكر الكاتب أسباب كذب تلك الادعاءات.

وهناك الصراع النفطي الذي قد يحدث مستقبلاً بين الدول الاقتصادية الأكبر في العالم مع احتياجها المتزايد من النفط والمتوقع بين الصين وأمريكا على بسط النفوذ مناطق تواجد النفط، وقدم تحليلاً للاحتمالات المختلفة وكيف يمكن تفادي الصراع بتعاون عالمي بين الدول الأكبر لتطوير بدائل للوقود وتعديل وسائل النقل لتقليص اعتمادها على النفط وتعجيل الانتقال إلى عالم ما بعد النفط. أي أنه يؤكد أن مشكلة النفط الأكبر في أمريكا هي مشكلة استهلاك فردي مخيف يحتاج إلى تغيير في وعي الشعب الأمريكي نفسه.

كتاب مهم مكتوب بموضوعية ويعتبر توثيقًا لتاريخ السياسة الخارجية الأمريكية والملف الأهم لكل إداراتها..
الترجمة أكثر من رائعة..

إضافة لعمله كأستاذ جامعي لبرامج السلام والأمن العالمي، عمل مايكل كلير كمراسلا حربيا ومحررا تاريخيا فأضافت له تلك التجارب الكثير مما ظهر في تحليلاته بهذا الكتاب.

Wed, 5 July, 2023 📚 ♥️

[Nadienne Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read about how heavily entwined our entire foreign policy apparatus is with our ever-consuming need for more and more oil from more and more places - and how we are going to be competing with China and/or Russia for the same resources from the same places...

...and it's 20 years old, and every solution the author proposes smacks of neo-liberalism. He gives minor lip service to public transportation as a solution to the ever-increasing need for oil, but never mentions redesigning our cities. Also, he seems to be under the impression that since hydrogen is the most common element in the universe, it's just as plentiful on Earth, thus fuel cells should just be super-easy to make (hydrogen is abundant on Earth - locked up in water - it doesn't roam free...).

The most depressing thing about this book are that all of the author's dire predictions about the problem with staying addicted to oil as we are and what we need to change over the upcoming decade or two to prevent it are just completely disregarded. Because here we are, 20 years later, and we are more oil dependent than ever.

[Tom Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've sometimes wondered how Governments in the west can demonise some corrupt dictators while at the same time backing other corrupt despots to the hilt, this well written little book may have some answers. In fact anyone wanting to understand what is happening in the Middle-East and why, will benefit enormously from this easy to read and insightful analysis of US Middle East policy. It gives a history of events and the reasons behind them we don't hear on the BBC, Fox News, or Al Jazeera.
The book looks in particular at the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia and puts that cosy marriage of convenience in an historical context. We learn in this scrupulously researched and well referenced book that American firms' involvement in oil in Saudi Arabia stretches back to 1933. Klare argues that America's rapacious thirst for oil is the source of the chaos we witness today in so much of the middle east and that most of the blood that has been shed has been closely connected to that thirst for oil.
Is there any hope? If there is, Klare argues, it is not in military interventions in the Middle East, it is in a change of policy back home, and specifically toward the US eliminating its dependence on imported oil. I recommend the book to anyone interested in US foreign policy or the global energy debate.
When the Siren Cries

[Mazin Zareef · Rating 4 out of 5]

إن كنت من المهتمين بمعرفة التفاصيل خلف التحالفات السياسية التي يشكل النفط فيها العمود الفقري، فأنصحك بقراءة هذا الكتاب. يعرض هذا الكتاب - و من وجهة نظر أمريكية صرفة - العلاقة الوطيدة بين النفط و السياسة الأمريكية و أهمية السيطرة على الموارد النفطية للحفاظ على موقع الريادة للولايات المتحدة عسكريا و اقتصاديا بل و حتى الحفاظ على نمط الحياة الأمريكي الحالي. يسرد الكاتب بطريقة منظمة السياسات التي سار عليها الرؤساء تاريخيا من روزفلت و من جاء بعده حتى الوصول إلى مبدأ كارتر و الذي تبنى سياسة خوض الحروب و بذل الدم في سبيل تأمين تدفق النفط لأمريكا - و هي السياسة التي سار عليها بوش الابن و من بعده أوباما. يختم الكاتب بأفكار يطرح من خلالها رؤيته للعديد من الأفكار التي لا تخلوا من العشوائية في الطرح لارتكاز معظم الأفكار على المصادر المتجددة و البديلة و التي لها من السلبيات ما يماثل النفط أو يزيد. لم يتطرق الكتاب للغاز الصخري (غاز السجيل) لأنه نشر قبل الثورة الحالية في إنتاج هذا الغاز و كنت أتمنى قراءة رؤيته في هذا الصدد.

[Shamus McCarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book 3 or 4 years ago... It basically explains why nations go to war. As if we don’t already know why, it’s for resources.

Klare, didn’t really take a side in why we’re at war. (Which I like because I vote Independent every 4 years.) He doesn’t blame it on Republicans or Democrats. He takes a very objective approach. He blames it on Nationalism, and the collective psyche of nations to do what is in their best interest.

There’s a lot of facts in this book. A good 1/8th of it is reference pages. It’s not an easy read. It reads like a thesis paper. He explains why Saudi Arabia is the last Kingdom, and how we made treaties with them to continue it. He explains why Saudi Arabia has almost no military, and the largest military force in the world that has almost no oil, IS Saudi Arabia’s military. It’s a book about mutual dependence. A mutual dependence that will continue to lead to war if we don’t wean ourselves off of oil.

Nations went to war over bird shit. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chincha_...

Black gold, Texas T, Michigan Butt Sex, is way more valuable… Hopefully, the ‘Oil Sands’ of Canada will prove to be a means to an end of this “Resource War”. Because I don’t think treaties with colored people will work. Nations, by nature, are to racist to ally with “those other people’. Especially when money is involved.

[Row Dela Rosa Yoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remarkable. It chronicles America's involvement in oil-rich countries since 1945 to fuel its economy and military prowess. Washington's relationship with the Arab monarchy has been mired in bloodshed. Where there is oil, there is bloodshed.

Oil and dependence to imported petroleum breed terrorism in all forms.

"Osama Bin Laden’s hostility towards the US was provoked primarily by the deployment of American troops in Saudi Arabia and the continuing alliance between Washington and the Saudi royal family—an alliance forged in 1945 between President Roosevelt and King Ibn Saud….It is a product of America’s thirst for imported oil and the monarchy’s hunger for protection. p. 55

Accusing the royal family of subservience to American interests, Bin Laden called on his followers to use any means, including armed violence, to topple the monarchy and push the Americans out of the country. In 1998, Bin Laden declared, “The United States has been occupying the lands of Islam in the holiest of places, the Arabian Peninsula, plundering its riches, dictating to its rulers, humiliating its people, terrorising its neighbors, and turning its bases in the Peninsula into a spearhead through which to fight the neigboring Muslim peoples.” To erase this blight on the Muslim world, he thundered, it was “ an individual duty for every Muslim to “kill the Americans” and drive their armies “out of all the lands of Islam.” p. 54

[Mr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, today the United States is a net exporter of petroleum. Shale oil and other new technologies has led to an increase in domestic oil production. The dire prediction of Michael Klare didn’t come into fruition. However, in 2004, the year the book was published, America’s dependency on oil from the Middle East and other war-torn/conflicted countries was an all-time high. A quick Google search shows a graph where oil import reached highs in the 2000’s but then gradually regressed around 2010 onwards.

It is fascinating how technology can change in decades and how seemingly pessimistic future can be averted through technology. Klare’s book was well-researched and I thought he brought great insights on the oil crisis relevant in the 2000’s. Klare also opened my mind to oil’s role in the geopolitics and how this resource has led many nations to conflict and turmoil. Most oil-producing countries are undergoing through some civil war and other conflict, and it is worth noting how being resource abundant is not always a good thing (except for Norway).

Four stars for this enlightening book. And if you are curious on why the US is meddling in the Middle East, this book will broaden your thinking.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a good historical account of the U.S. commitment to Persian Gulf oil from the FDR administration to the present. It makes a strong case for recognizing two things: 1) there isn't enough oil in the Persian Gulf to meet projected U.S. energy needs during the first half of the 21st century; 2) the United States has developed and projected massive military might into the Persian Gulf/Middle East as a result of its thirst for oil. Both points suggest that the time has come to rethink our national energy policy and its linkage to national security strategy. A simple calculation shows that the $800 billion spent on the war in Iraq
would have been far better spent on developing alternative energies and conservation measures.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well researched in detailing not only where our oil comes from and the economic ties that keep things that way but also how involved our military is around the world in protecting that interest. A very informative book if you like seeing a lot of factual information without a lot of talk.

[Dr. Phoenix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael T. Klare, Five Colleges professor of Peace and World Security Studies, Okay...so we get it. The author comes from the left of the political spectrum, and does not let the reader forget it...

That, aside, the book is interesting up to a point and provides some interesting information. It is now dated and showing its age as it was first published in 2004. Things have changed since that time, however, many of the main points underscored in this title still remain pertinent and the challenges have only increased.

I initially read this title in conjunction with a chapter I was writing (currently under review) for an Energy Security journal. It provided some lucid insights, but I needed to be cautious as there was quite a strong bias involved in the writing.

Notably there is a use of loaded language. That is language meant to influence the reader in some shape or form.This can be witnessed in pages 60 - 66. One of the most signification criticisms I would levy , is the fact that, is the fact that, while the author lays criticism on quite heavily he fails to provide possible solutions to the challenges being raised.

While I did not have the time while preparing my chapter it would have been useful to compare the predictions of the National Energy Outlook of 2004 with those that will be produced in 2024 to measure how effective these estimates actually were. Klare, relies heavily on this report in his writing as w ell as upon the Cheney's National Energy Police (NEP).

I was quite torn reading this title as some of the foundational information is useful, but this is counterbalanced by the authors own heavy bias. This is particularly true from page 200 onward. There is a very strong core focus upon the Middle East and Klare voices some very unbalanced and vituperative comments against those states. On the positive side, the author correctly presage, at the time of writing, the pending violence in Syria, Libya, and Yemen.

On p.186 Klare adopts and advances the energy transition narrative.
P, 189 Klare devolves into Kantian Utopian ideal, suggesting a severing of ties from oil producing states.
P.190 The author reveals a failure to understand the nature of a realpolitik and the reality that this entails.
p.191 The author presumes to have all the responses tied in a neat little package wrapped with a bow and dangerously and recklessly underestimates verve and fanatical commitment of states such as Iran, the Mullah's and possible regime changes.
p.192 What was, ostensibly, a well-balanced analysis at the outset increasingly appears to have turned into unrealistic monologue of liberal rhetoric.
P.1933 The author asserts his solution, and I quote "is the sole way"...as though he has been endowed with magical geopolitical powers and insight
P.195 Should read "brakes" not breaks
P.196 - Positive observation, where the author makes the pertinent observation that diesel cares are a third more fuel efficient..however, the climate alarmists have driven a nail in that coffin.
P.198 citing John Kerry, the failed presidential candidate, and using terms such as dangerous and deluded, tend to discredit the authors viewpoints.
P200. The author proposes a surtax on petrol and a formula for the establishment of government oppression. Klare adopts formulas such as "force automobile owners to drive less" Despite the fact that the gentleman is 81 years old, I would not be surprised to find him joining the loathsome and repugnant just stop Oil JSO movement.In his afterword he exposes his strong bias in (justifiably) condemning the Bush administration and less justifiably, generally denigrating conservative values.

Let us, however end on a positive note- His final observation is pertinent and should have been the driving force of his work. It is worth quoting:

"The three factors identified above-- recurring shortages in the global supply of petroleum, increased competition from the developing countries, and the risk of instability and supply disruptions in key producing areas-- are now systemic, abiding features of the global energy equation."

I certainly concur with this observation.

Summary - This could have been a much better piece of research had the author maintained his objectivity. Unfortunately this changed somewhere after page 185 onward. Would I still recommend this title? Yes, but with cautious reservations. All knowledge is good, even that with which we do not necessarily agree with.

[Kaho · Rating 5 out of 5]

We expect the industry to welcome this considerable investment in ensuring that all those on the energy frontline can be taught, tested and assessed by creating scenarios we hope they will never come across in real life, but should they do so they feel better equipped to deal with the situation. Among other features of the simulator is a downhole visualization tool that will help to improve users’ in-depth understanding of the drilling process.

[Lindy Han · Rating 4 out of 5]

the first perhaps 80+% of it explained the desperate oil supply situation of the US and how global events play out as a result, and that was eye opening. then towards the end, the author talked about idealistic solutions which will surely not become reality and that read like a boring textbook, so i skimmed to the end.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book that raises lot's of interesting issues. With the benefit of hindsight it is possible to see how the situation did actually change e.g. towards fracking.

It would have been good for more information in climate change and global warming.

[Federico · Rating 2 out of 5]

Err:509

[Joe Baird · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 / 5 Stars | 90 / 100

“The way ahead is clear. We must repudiate the false promise of the Bush-Cheney energy plan and select the path of autonomy, self-restraint, and innovation. If we strengthen our resolve, accept a degree of self-discipline, and embrace the new technologies, we will escape the trap of dependency and establish a secure, sustainable, and responsible energy system; if we fail to do these things, we will condemn ourselves to rising bloodshed abroad and hardship at home. The choice is ours. The time of decision is now. It is not too late to abandon our allegiance to oil at any cost and embark on a new energy path. But it might soon be.”

p. 202

This is the final passage of the book, published back in 2004.

------------------------------------------------

In the wake of Trump’s January 2026 incursion into Venezuela, I wanted to do some reading about the history of U.S. irruptions into foreign sovereign states, particularly oil-rich states. Blood and Oil provides a sobering account of U.S. involvement in these foreign states, and how these instances more often than not tie back to the U.S.’s ever expanding need for crude oil. In an ironic twist, the U.S. dependency on oil has made us ever more reliant on the Persian Gulf, a region of the world which often harbors anti-American sentiment due to decades of destabilization and regime-funding either directly carried out by U.S. forces or funded by American political interests. As a result of this cause-and-effect, the U.S. has been forced to search for crude oil in areas that offer lesser supply overall, but also the opportunity for easier access and exploitation.

“Other government documents and reports are more forthcoming; for example, projections of global energy patterns released in 2003 by the Department of Energy show that the major Persian Gulf oil producers - Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates - will have to double their total daily output between 2001 and 2025, from 22.4 to 45.2 million barrels, to satisfy projected American and international demand.”

p. 64

“The first goal of the diversification plan is to increase imports from Latin America, notably Mexico, Venezuela, and Colombia. The [National Energy Policy] portrays these three countries as especially attractive because they have large reserves, are relatively close, and fall within the American sphere of influence. But like the Persian Gulf states, they will need substantial investment in new infrastructure to boost production in older fields and start the development of new ones; and, again, they will have significant problems in assembling the necessary capital. Mexico’s constitution bans foreign investment in its oil industry. Venezuela’s fiercely nationalistic President, Hugo Chavez, opposes any deeper American involvement. And Colombia’s government, while it would love to expand its oil exports to the United States, cannot do so because of the continuing civil war. Overcoming these barriers to American investment will not be easy, but doing so is vital to the Bush energy plan.”

p. 65

------------------------------------------------

Hugo Chávez has since died (2013) and his replacement, Nicolás Maduro, has assumed control as the de jure President of Venezuela. Maduro remained in this position until he was kidnapped and extradited to the United States on January 3, 2026, on alleged charges of drug trafficking. In the interim, President Trump has posited that the U.S. will obtain control of Venezuelan oil resources to the benefit of the United States, but not only has this seemingly not come to fruition, but Maduro remains de jure president of Venezuela despite his ongoing incarceration in the U.S.

In this regard, Michael T. Klare deserves kudos for not only being a damn fine academic and researcher, but also for being a psychic of sorts. Although the machinations described in Blood and Oil took longer than Klare anticipated, it is clear that these same predictions are coming to pass now. Unfortunately, citizens of the United States, Venezuela, and the Persian Gulf will simply have to wait and see how the geopolitical gambit of sovereign state leaders continues to play out in the years to come.

In spite of consideration of all the chaotic elements and potential outcomes, of one thing there can be no doubt - so long as the United States retains its dependency on oil resources, it will continue to find itself mired in conflict and seemingly inescapable political quagmires.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

"After examining a number of recent wars in Africa and Asia, I came to a conclusion radically different from Huntington's [clash of civilizations]: that resources, not differences in civilizations or identities, are at the root of most contemporary conflict." p. xii

"Petroleum is unique among the world's resources--that is has more potential than any of the others to provoke major crises and conflicts in the years ahead." p. xiii

Post 1940s: quest to obtain oil to satisfy increasing demand went from domestic to foreign policy issue p. xiv - consequence? "...the American military is being used more and more for the protection of overseas oil fields and the supply routes that connect them to the United States and its allies." p. 7 -- obtaining petroleum becomes an issue of national security (started with FDR WWII) p. 12

David Painter, Georgetown: public-private partnership in foreign oil development - "Even though private interests rather than government agencies were given primary responsibility for implementing US foreign oil policy, the US government was nevertheless deeply involved in maintaining an international environment in which private companies could operate with security and profit." p. 35

Iranian conflict as start of cold war - geopolitical contest over oil fields in Saudi Arabia / Persian Gulf producers p. 39, which led to the Truman Doctrine 1947: "unstinting American assistance to any nation threatened with Communist subjugation" p. 40

Eisenhower Doctrine 1957: "...the doctrine authorized the president to use American combat forces to defend friendly Middle Eastern countries against Soviet-backed aggressors and to provide additional arms and military assistance to pro-American regimes." p 41 - "...response to US unease over Soviet involvement in the Middle East..."

Nixon Doctrine 1969: didn't want to send troops directly because simultaneously trying to pull troops out of Vietnam but pumped money to allies in Gulf states to defend themselves/ensure peace and stability p. 43

Carter Doctrine 1980: US would use "any means necessary" to protect access to Persian Gulf oil p. 46

"Osama bin Laden's hostility toward the United States was provoked primarily by the development of American troops in Saudi Arabia and the continuing alliance between Washington and the Saudi Royal family--the alliance forged in 1945 by President Roosevelt and King Ibn Saud." p. 55

Neoconservatives often purport a shift to domestic oil to wean off foreign (e.g. drilling in Alaska), but "Even if ANWR really contains the 10 billion barrels of oil the drilling lobby claims it does, extracting it would reduce US imports by only about 3 percent per year during the next two decades--an almost negligible change." p. 60

Bush administration's Persian Gulf security policy: "...first, the stabilization of Saudi Arabia under the House of Saud; second, the removal of Saddam Hussein in Iraq and his replacement with a stable government capable of substantially boosting oil output; and, third, in an escalation of pressure on the Iranian government leading, eventually, to the emergence of a leadership friendly to the United States." p. 84

Other neoconservatives suggest we "diversify" where we get our oil from (e.g. non-Persian Gulf states) but "...the non-Gulf suppliers do not have enough petroleum to permit a substantial reduction in our reliance on Persian Gulf Oil, yet they present a very high risk of American entanglement in regional strife and disorder." p. 115

"...the production of petroleum in otherwise undeveloped countries can lead to distortions of the local economy and political system that practically ensures instability." p. 127

Moving forward: the struggle between the US, Russia, and China in the Persian Gulf and Caspian Basin for increasingly less oil that's under higher demand p. 146 - that region because it contains 70 percent of world's known petroleum reserves p. 151

Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor as a "preemptive strike" on the US since Japan had invaded the Dutch East Indies for oil p. 149

Military and political involvement in oil-rich states makes us "crawl into bed with some of the world's most corrupt and despotic leaders" -- victims of regimes see US as "a greedy prop of dictatorship...These are the circumstances that breed terrorism." p. 183

What does the author suggest instead? "...a national energy strategy of autonomy and integrity." -- autonomy meaning we are self-reliant enough to be able to say no to any political conditions for oil obtainment, and integrity meaning not colluding with any regime that denies human rights/despotism and having a transparent assessment for developing energy strategy p. 186

[Rajeshwari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis

Petroleum is the most versatile fuel source ever discovered and it is at the core of any modern industrial economy. The United States was the first country in the world to develop a large scale petroleum industry and this industry has played a central role in sustaining the nation’s economic growth for past 145 years and preservation of a distinctly American way of life. Just as petroleum fuels the economy, it also plays an essential role in U.S. National Security. The American military relies more than that of any other country on petroleum. Oil makes this country strong; dependency makes it weak.

America’s oil inheritance, while abundant, is not limitless. The US’s domestic oil reserves are falling conspicuously, leaving it dependent on foreign supplies. These supplies lie in chronically unstable, often violently anti-American areas like the Persian Gulf, the Caspian Sea, Latin America and Africa where military involvement will be required to ensure the uninterrupted flow of oil.

After World War II, American leaders of whatever party affiliation have always felt compelled to see foreign petroleum through the lens of national security. Right from Franklin.D.Roosevelt, Harry.S.Truman, Dwight.S.Eisenhower, and John.F.Kennedy to George.W.Bush have regarded the protection of oil as vital component of Foreign policy.

In the name of national security, military force has frequently been used over the past 50 years to guarantee access to foreign petroleum and to protect key suppliers as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait with whom it has close ties, from internal revolt and external attack.

Seizure of Iraq, conflict with Iran, protection of sovereign independence of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait; to US is much more than mere bringing peace in the Middle East but is driven by the scare of losing control over the oil treasure.

In Blood and Oil, the author exposes the truth about American thirst and dependency for oil, is bringing about havoc in geopolitics and if no concrete solution comes by, the whole world will be paying for America’s oil in blood.

[Patrick McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood and Oil: The Dangers and Consequences Of America’s Growing Dependency On Imported Petroleum by Michael T. Klare makes a convincing argument about the energy crisis that is looming. It points out how the Bush administration squandered a great opportunity to change American policy. But it was clear that he was going to follow the status quo when he elected not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and called for drilling in the Alaskan Wilderness reserve. Furthermore, the ongoing military commitment to Iraq is proving to be costly in lives, finances, and political capital. Supporting unpopular regimes like that of Saudi Arabia is compromising our reputation abroad as well. Klare has a very well thought out, structured, and detailed argument about futility of the short sighted current administration’s approach to the energy crisis. He makes some very reasonable suggestions that should be taken in order for America to come to terms with its dependence on oil that will be problematic in the near future. For example: energy independence (a strategy to reduce reliance on foreign petroleum through a number of methods including alternative energy sources), a paradigm shift on how we think about Energy consumption (sooner is better than having a shift forcing us to change our ways later), and a separation of energy policy from foreign affairs (security commitments to keep oil production stable in unstable countries). A very thought provoking and disturbing book. The fact that we may see the effects of an oil shock in our lifetime is probably more likely than previously thought.

[هند مسعد · Rating 4 out of 5]

’’ الولايات المتحدة مدمنة نفط‘‘ هذا ما قاله الرئيس الأمريكى جورج بوش فى بداية توليه الحكم أُناء أزمة طاقة كانت تمر بها الولايات المتحدة . كل مت تسمعه من الولايات المتحدة عن محاربة الاستبداد او دعم الحريات اوهام وكلام فارغ ، الأمر متعلق بالنفط والنفط فقط لا غير . . وأى حديث عن الأخلاقيات او الانسانيات مجرد محاولة تستر.

الولايات المتحدة فى رحلة تأمينها للطاقة دعمت أكثر الأنظمة استبدادية فى الشرق الأوسط (( النظام السعودي)) مقابل النفط دعمت أكثر الدولة تشددا حيال حرية الأاديان والمرأة وأكبر الدول المصدرة للإرهاب!

فى حين إنها سلطت الضوء عن عدوها اللاأخلاقى الشيوعى المستبد فقط لأنه كان قوة منافسة فى سوق النفط وليس داعم لها .. على مدار القرن المنصرم عمدت الولايات لتامين إحتياجها من الطاقة من الشرق الاوسط وقف فى وجها فى البداية الاتحاد السوفيتى وبعد انهيارة اثنان فقط صدام حسين وآيه الله الخمينى بعد انهيار نظام الشاه أكثر الأنظمة دعما للولايات المتحدة فى الشرق الأوسط

والآن فى القرن 21 من المتوقع أن يكون أكثر دموية من المنصرم لسببين أن الولايات المتحدة فى تأمين إحتياجاتها من الطاقة ستتصدم بقوتين ناميتبن هما الصين تانى أكبر اقتصاد فى العالم ورسيا التى تحاول استعداه موقعها كقوة منافسه

وأن ينتقل محيط الصراع اكثر واكثر من الشرق الاوسط الى افريقا اكبر احتياطى للنفط والغاز الطبيعى الآن - وفى الطريق للنفط توقع الكثير من الدماء والكثير من الدمار والكثر الكثير الكثير من اللاانسانية واللاأخلاقية.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basically spells out how almost all of the political drama and wars going on are about oil and its relation to our country's future. Venezuela, Colombia, Georgia, Iraq, Afghanistan; it's all about oil and pipelines and all that. Operation Iraqi freedom? Try operation Iraqi oil.
You always hear people say, "oh, it's all about the oil." I'd always ask, "well is it really all about the oil?" and that's where it would end. If you're in a similar position, read this book. The book is also a part of the american empire project, a series of books on varying subjects related to america.

It also spells out how none of this conflict is ever mentioned in the same breath as oil, it's always some ideology about liberating oppressed people or wmd's or protecting america from terrorists. It's all a big pile of shit. What about Darfur? Where exactly were the Wmd's? Why won't the 9/11 commission answer anybody's questions? 85,000 dead Iraqi civillians since 2004? Apartheid in Israel?

Reminds me of some Ice-T lyrics.

"37 kids killed in a crack war
Hostages tied up
and shot in a liquor store.
Nobody gives a fuck!
The children have to go to school! (in a mom's voice)
well mom's good luck!"

Great book. check it out.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. Do the details of America's energy policy seem convoluted and too complex to comprehend? Are you unable to overcome the cognitive dissonance caused by a President who talks about spreading democracy in the Middle East, but then goes on a tour of his ranch whilst holding hands with a Saudi despot? Then you'd be doing yourself a favor by picking this up. In 200 short pages, the author lays out how our economy's dependence on foreign oil has caused the nation's energy policy and foreign policy to cross paths, often with dubious and ideologically ironic results. Lots of nuts and bolts information regarding consumption and available reserves, as well as an overview and analysis of the geopolitical maneuvering to gain prominence in oil-producing regions.

[Jaywhite74 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice introduction to the world geopolitical games played out over the oil industry. I didnt really know too much about this subject prior to reading this book and it gives a very good history and a sometimes author's optimistic view for the future. Very good reading although it can be a lil dry at times. Well worth pushing through the book. Even though this book was written in 2004 and does not include today's debacle it still gives a very good view of what happened up to that point and explains very clearly the American theatre of war in the Middle East and soon to be Caspian Sea Basin area.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Klare writes about America's growing dependence on foreign oil and America's growingness to commit the US military to protect our interest in it histoically, especially in the last two decades. He makes validmpoints. Klare also encorages the development of alternate energy sources but does not appear to favor developing America's petrolem resources but appers to favor President Oboma's forced development of alternate energy sources by driving up the price of oil at the average American's expense. At least that is my conculsion after reading the book. But make up your own mind.

[M.E · Rating 4 out of 5]

تاريخ الولايات المتحدة والبترول منذ البداية..والحروب التي على استعداد للتضحية فيها بابنائها قبل ابناء الغير في سبيل الذهب الاسود..وكالعادة تكمن روعة الكتاب في ربط كل تلك الاحداث على مدار تلك الفترة التاريخية الطويلة بشكل يوضح الصورة الكلية بشكل لا يوحي بلبس

[Saad Alqahtani]

تاب مهم؛ واوصي شباب وبنات الخليج بالذات بالاطلاع عليه.. يعرض تفسيرا (من داخل البيت الأمريكي) لحروب أمريكا والعالم؛ ولماذا التحالف مع الحكومات المستبدة.. وأشياء أخرى مهمة..

وهنا مراجعة للكتاب كتبها أ.د. يوسف خليفة اليوسف:
http://www.darussalam.ae/content.asp?...

[Farhan Mohmed · Rating 3 out of 5]

الشرق الأوسط يعتبر اكبر حوض نفطي في العالم و نتيجة لذلك تتقاتل القوى العالمية على احتكار حرية الوصول للطاقة بتوفير الدعم العسكري لتلك الدول. الكاتب يتحدث عن الدم الامريكي الذي يدفع و ينسى الشعوب الضحية! الكتاب قديم نسبيا لكن يظل قيم.

[Sultan ALSulaimani]

كتاب جميل قرأت النسخة العربية..يوضح الكاتب الدور الامريكي في تأمين مسارات الطاقة في الدول المنتجه
والتافس الامريكي والدول العظمى في الهيمنة على دول مصادر الطاقة نتيجةتوقع الزيادة في
الطلب
العالمي

[Suzane D.]

One of my professors recomended this book, so eventually I'll make my way to reading it. Might as well.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

decent book about oil, the middle east, and u.s. foreign policy.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

school book for Env Soc