Originally Posted by S-2

I think the premises for our middle east involvement actually lie in oil/energy. The explanation, however, is quite simple.

We recognize the world's growing energy needs. So, too, at one time the Soviet Union. A Soviet mechanized thrust or "invitation" from the Iranian mullacracy would have required American intervention to contest a communist hold on the west's lifeline. While the invitation was unlikely, the mechanized thrust was not. Thus was born the Carter Doctrine.

The most blunt characterization of this doctrine's intent resides in the notion of hegemonic control. America will resist the emergance of regional hegemonic control of this resource. Global markets require uniform and equal access to present and emerging energy resources from this region, whether, CAR or the gulf nations.

That means everybody if fair trading and commerce is to ensue and a collapse of global markets is to be avoided. That means access by any nation. As such, hegemonic control by the USSR, Iran, or Iraq was unacceptable and remains so.

I'm unaware of America receiving a single barrel of oil as booty/largesse for our efforts to date. If such a perspective has worked to the advantage of American energy corporations, so too has been the benefit of others. In any case, all those corporations experience market competition to develop and produce from present and emerging fields. The news indicates the involvement of Russian, French, Chinese, British, and Japanese companies in these projects.

There is therefore political and economic competition in the absence of clear hegemony. Obviously, that includes America. It's fair to say that we've NOT asserted hegemonic control of those energy resources.

Neither will we permit any other nation to do so.