Iran’s war with America-Israel has completed one month. No one knows how long this is going to last. However, the situation of war resources has deteriorated. In the last one month the world felt the shortage of oil. Inflation increased in the world. The Indian government has managed oil prices by reducing taxes. This question has often been raised that why does America keep an eye on the countries having oil reserves? Why does his attention go only where oil is available? Still people are asking the question that the oil wells of how many countries are under direct and indirect American occupation?
Oil has always been a center of power in world politics and economy. The practical fact is that no country, not just America, can lay claim to another country’s property, leave alone occupying it. Yes, it can definitely be controlled through strategic and economic policies. And America has used these tools on oil producing countries. America has taken many measures for that. America has been doing such things. We can say that its history itself is like this.
Where is America’s direct control?
It simply means sending troops to a country and taking over the security or production of its oil fields. There are many examples of this in American history.
- Iraq: After the 2003 Iraq war, America had a direct impact on the oil and infrastructure there. Although today the oil belongs to the Iraqi government, in the early years after the war the US administration had a direct influence on oil production and export policies.
crude oil
- Syria: Currently, there is presence of US Army in Deir-e-Zor area in the north-eastern part of Syria. This field is one of the largest oil fields in Syria. America argues that it is protecting these wells from falling into the hands of terrorist organizations like ISIS, but the Syrian government considers it illegal occupation.
- Libya: After the fall of Gaddafi in 2011, interference by Western powers and the United States in the security and management of Libya’s oil fields has increased significantly. Even today the oil policy there is not free from international pressures. That is why despite being an oil rich country, Libya’s economic condition is very weak.
Where does he control indirectly?
Indirect control is far more powerful and widespread. America exerts a strong influence on about 20 to 25 major oil producing countries of the world through its policies. For this he has been adopting many methods.
- Petrodollar System: This is America’s greatest strength. In the 1970s, an agreement was reached with Saudi Arabia that global oil trade would take place only in US dollars. This means that if a country wants to buy oil, it will need dollars. This arrangement made America the undeclared manager of the entire world oil market.
- Strategic Alliance: America has deep defense agreements with Gulf countries Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar. These countries are the owners of oil, but the responsibility for their security largely rests on the American army and weapons. In return for this protection, these countries often keep their oil production policies in line with American interests.
- Economic sanctions: America exercises negative control over the oil wells of those countries which do not obey it. For example, Iran and Venezuela have the world’s largest oil reserves, but they are unable to sell their oil easily due to US sanctions. This is also a kind of control, where America decides whose oil will come in the market and whose oil will not.
- Multinational Companies: American companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron work on oil extraction in dozens of countries across the world. From Kazakhstan to Nigeria, the stake of these companies is so big that they have the ability to influence the policies of the governments there.
American guard on sea routes also
Most of the world’s oil passes through sea routes. The US Navy patrols important routes like the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca. The country that controls these routes indirectly owns the world’s oil supply lines. This maritime power of America gives it control over global oil flows. In recent times, the Strait of Hormuz became a major reason for the intensification of the Iran war and increase in inflation in parts of the world, when Iran placed its guard on this route.
Strait of Hormuz
How many countries does America influence?
If we count the influence, America’s influence can be clearly seen in the following areas.
- Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Oman.
- Africa: Countries like Nigeria, Angola, Libya etc.
- Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan.
- Latin America: Venezuela through sanctions and Guyana through companies.
Overall, America has a direct or indirect influence on the economy and oil policy of more than a dozen major oil producing countries of the world.
Is America’s grip loosening?
The direct answer is yes. But, it is not that easy. The situation has definitely been changing in the last few years. Countries like Russia and China are now trying to trade oil in their local currencies. India has also bought some oil in its own currency. The expansion of BRICS countries is also challenging the strength of the petrodollar. Still it will take time. This will not happen overnight. Despite this, even today America plays the biggest role in determining global oil security and prices, this cannot be denied.
In this way, it can be said that America’s occupation of the world’s oil wells is not like grabbing land, but it is like controlling the system. Direct capture is visible only in the war-torn areas of Syria or Iraq in the east, but indirect capture extends to the financial and military structures of the entire world. In simple words, America may not own the oil, but it owns the market where oil is sold. For this he has been using many tricks.
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