MIDDLE EAST ELECTIVE

LESSON 2: Resources in the Middle East.

Resource Scarcity: Is a function of the availability of a resource base and the rate of population growth.

  1. Other than oil, the M.E. has a practically non-existent resource base.
  2. The M.E. has on of the highest population growth rates in the world.
  3. Population percentage under 20 years of age is in the 40-50 % range in most countries in the region. This constrains future economic growth because scarce resources must be expended to educate and support half of the population that does not work.
  4. Investment money flows out of the M.E. and not into it. This exacerbates the poverty problem that exists because of the population explosion and lack of resources.

Oil - The one resource the M.E. has in abundance.

  1. 70-75% of the world’s proven reserves are located in the M.E.
  2. Cost of extraction is cheapest in the world.
  3. Infrastructure to lift and transport it is complete.
  4. Security Implications for this resource.
  1. Stability of the region is very important to consumer nations such as the United States.
  2. Israel has no oil.
  3. Oil prices can increase for political reasons

QUESTIONS
  1. Should access to Gulf oil be a major component of U.S. security policy towards the region?

    2. ANS. YES. The U.S. is one of the biggest consumers of oil in the world. Oil affects nearly every aspect of American life. The loss of access to the M.E oil could be extremely damaging to the U.S. economy. Until the U.S. can support itself with oil production or find an alternative to M.E. oil it is imperative that we maintain it as a stabile provider.

  2. How much should other oil consumers contribute to regional security? And how?

    3. ANS. Other oil consumers, especially Europe and Japan, would be catastrophically affected by a loss of M.E. oil. Japan imports 100% of all its energy requirements. For that reason both have significant interest in ensuring that the flow of oil remains open. From that prospective, they should actively engage themselves in M.E. Security. They should aid in the peace process for he region politically and financially invest in the modernization of the region so as to help start lifting the poverty cycle that will, if not corrected, ultimately cause a destruction to the national infrastructures in the same fashion as occurred in Africa.

     

     

  3. What are the best policy instruments to maximize access to Gulf oil?

ANS.

  1. Engagement. Politically and Financially in the development of all the nations of the M.E. This engagement should not promote the globalization that has alienated the people of the region against us but rather promote development of the region within their cultural standards.
  2. Involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. The ultimate resolution of this crisis will greatly enhance the overall security of the region. It is in the US’s interest to help facilitate a solution. The involvement, however, must not be one-sided. If it appears that the U.S. only supports the Israeli point of view, it will further alienate the Arab population against her.

Water & M.E.

Problem Areas.

  1. Control of Rivers
  1. Nile
  2. Tigris
  3. Euphrates
  4. Litani/Jordan/Orantes
  1. Control of Aquifers
  1. Underground accumulation of ran water soaked through porous rock.
  2. Being depleted due to the fact that more is being used than replenished.
  1. Control of waste water
  1. Water is usually free therefore little conservation is practiced
  2. Primitive irrigation systems
  3. Poor water infrastructure
  1. Distribution of the water in the region has been shaped by political considerations. The politics of where the water originates in the region determines the distribution.
  2. Pressure of overpopulation makes water even more scarce and expensive.
  3. Nations will become determined to control the water they have and want more from their neighbors.
  4. Water Wars are real possibilities in the future.

 

 

 

 

QUESTIONS

What can the U.S./ do (if anything) to minimize the potential for water conflict in the M.E.?

ANS. The U.S. can promote and encourage an end to the strife in the region. If that occurs, doors can be opened provide aid in the form of technology and training to better manage the entire region’s water supply.

What solutions should nations in the region seek to reduce the potential conflict?

ANS.

  1. Population control.
  2. Better international cooperation in controlling the sources of water in the region.
  3. Investment in rebuilding the water infrastructure throughout the region to better conserve water.