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Oil is arguably the most valuable commodity on earth. It is an integral element in the everyday functioning of the world, whether it concerns political, economic or military spheres. In other words, the world would grind to a halt were the supply of oil to suddenly stop. This web page is dedicated to 2 main issues. Firstly, It is important to establish how crucial oil is, by highlighting the persuasiveness of oil as a commodity, and through showing the finite and scarce nature of oil as a fossil fuel. Secondly, and the main issue of this project, is the issue of oil and it's relationship to Global Security. A number of different facets of security are effected by oil and those will be examined. While looking primarily at global affairs, I have afforded space to the study of America and it's oil policy as I believe that that is crucial in many ways to the wider picture.
The importance of oil cannot be overstated and many dynamic changes and challenges will face world security because of this importance. In the next 50-100 years, these issues will come to a head and the world will be radically altered because of this. Hence, it is important to create awareness of these issues, be they political, environmental or economic so that an understanding can be developed. I hope that this web page will help to serve this function and act as rough guide to what those challenges are and what they will become.
Andrew M Fletcher
Conflict and Security
December 2000
singentsmilie@hotmail.com