The Middle East, Oil, and the U.S. National Security Policy

Intractable Conflicts, Impossible Solutions

Donald M. Snow

Three interrelated subject areas are at the heart of the current foreign and national security dilemma. One is the Middle East, which has been the epicenter of most U.S. policy activity for over a third of a century. The second is energy policy, particularly as it is affected by the development and exploitation of shale oil and gas reserves in the United States. This is linked to the Middle East because it has been American dependence on Middle East petroleum that has created the interest the U.S. has in this region. The third area is military manpower policy and two simultaneous wars in the new century have raised questions about the all-volunteer force policy in place since 1972. It is increasingly evident that foreign and defense policy are strained and in need of fresh conceptualization. The three areas identified are the most obvious examples of policy dysfunction. The key area is the Middle East region. As long as the United States remains heavily committed to this part of the world, especially with military force and essentially because of its energy needs, there will be strains on manpower resources that could force a reexamination of the all-volunteer concept. At the same time, the reduction of U.S. dependence on Middle Eastern oil loosens the bonds that seem to impel American activism in the region. The result could be true opportunities for a less confrontational, adversary-driven foreign and defense posture.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 230 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜

978-1-4422-6196-9 • Hardback • March 2016 • $129.00 • (£99.00)

978-1-4422-6197-6 • Paperback • March 2016 • $65.00 • (£50.00)

978-1-4422-6198-3 • eBook • March 2016 • $61.50 • (£47.00)

Subjects: Political Science / Security (National & International), Political Science / World / Middle Eastern, Political Science / Geopolitics

Courses: Political Science; International Relations; Foreign Policy; Middle Eastern, Political Science; International Relations; Politics of Peace & Conflict, Political Science; International Relations; Homeland Security

The Middle East, Oil, and the U.S. National Security Policy

Intractable Conflicts, Impossible Solutions

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Three interrelated subject areas are at the heart of the current foreign and national security dilemma. One is the Middle East, which has been the epicenter of most U.S. policy activity for over a third of a century. The second is energy policy, particularly as it is affected by the development and exploitation of shale oil and gas reserves in the United States. This is linked to the Middle East because it has been American dependence on Middle East petroleum that has created the interest the U.S. has in this region. The third area is military manpower policy and two simultaneous wars in the new century have raised questions about the all-volunteer force policy in place since 1972. It is increasingly evident that foreign and defense policy are strained and in need of fresh conceptualization. The three areas identified are the most obvious examples of policy dysfunction. The key area is the Middle East region. As long as the United States remains heavily committed to this part of the world, especially with military force and essentially because of its energy needs, there will be strains on manpower resources that could force a reexamination of the all-volunteer concept. At the same time, the reduction of U.S. dependence on Middle Eastern oil loosens the bonds that seem to impel American activism in the region. The result could be true opportunities for a less confrontational, adversary-driven foreign and defense posture.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 230 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜

978-1-4422-6196-9 • Hardback • March 2016 • $129.00 • (£99.00)

978-1-4422-6197-6 • Paperback • March 2016 • $65.00 • (£50.00)

978-1-4422-6198-3 • eBook • March 2016 • $61.50 • (£47.00)

Subjects: Political Science / Security (National & International), Political Science / World / Middle Eastern, Political Science / Geopolitics

Courses: Political Science; International Relations; Foreign Policy; Middle Eastern, Political Science; International Relations; Politics of Peace & Conflict, Political Science; International Relations; Homeland Security

Author

Donald M. Snow is Professor Emeritus in the department of Political Science at the University of Alabama. Prior to this position he was visiting professor of international security studies at the U.S. Air War College.

Table of Contents

Preface
Part I: Introduction
Chapter 1: The Foreign and National Security Inheritance: The Cold War Paradigm
Chapter 2: Military Manpower: Who Serves His (or Her) Country
Part II: Energy and U.S. Foreign and National Security Policy
Chapter 3: Energy and Policy Determination: Oil Addiction and Its Consequences
Chapter 4: A Return to Energy Independence and Its Consequences: Shale Oil and Gas
Part III: The U.S. and the Middle East
Chapter 5: The Vexatious Middle East
Chapter 6: The U. S. Posture in the Middle East
Chapter 7: One size doesn’t Fit All: Policy toward Very Different Places
Chapter 8: Moving Ahead: Time for a Change

Reviews

A prolific author on national security issues, Donald Snow’s new book is perfectly timed and should be read by all foreign policy advisors in the next administration. His critique of our Middle East-centric interventions combined with the changing geopolitics of oil and alternative energy sources offers pragmatic policy options for the region.
— Dr. Gary L. Guertner, former Chairman of the Policy and Strategy Department, U.S. Army War College

Features

The book explores the faults in American national security policy, why recent changes have made it possible to think of alternatives, and how it might be changed to produce better results.

Examines how three interrelated factors —the Middle East, Oil, and armed forces— shape US energy and security policy.

Written by an expert in the field, it will help students understand and engage in the current debates surrounding the U.S. national security policy.

Each chapter includes a bibliography to promote further research.