Alon Ben-Meir is one of the most prominent experts on Middle East affairs in the United States. In an age of extremes and semi-informed comments, Prof. Ben-Meir’s remarks stand as oases of common sense and a great reminder to those
still hopeful for peace in the Middle East. Last week, in an article titled “Last War for Oil?” Ben-Meir argued that oil was one of the most important reasons as to why the United States has waged two Gulf wars in the recent past. Also reproduced in the
Journal of Turkish Weekly, the article maintained that it was now incumbent upon the newly elected Democratic U.S. Congress to work in tandem with the Bush administration to enact the necessary set of legislation to make the United States “energy-independent” and free from the “shackles of foreign oil.” Even though it is arguable to what degree oil was really central in the U.S. invasion of Iraq in March 2003, it always had a serious clout in U.S. foreign relations. A policy of energy-independence, then, can solve many of America’s (and the Middle East’s) problems. As Ben-Meir correctly stresses, “e
nergy independence will substantially enhance Washington’s effectiveness in developing policies, including the promotion of democratic reform in the Arab world, which heretofore was seen as nothing more than a smokescreen to cover America’s own self-interest.”[1] There are many advantages and drawbacks to Ben-Meir’s assertion and they deserve a systematic treatment though the best response in the final analysis would be inshallah (God willing)!
The most obvious paradox of U.S. reliance on foreign oil (most U.S. oil imports come from Latin American sources, which in turn push global prices upwards) is the revenue that it generates for countries like Iran. Even though I believe that some sort of a dialogue is necessary between Iran and the United States, it is completely counterintuitive for Washington to indirectly fund a political system that it profoundly distrusts. A more energy-independent America can gain some leverage in its dealings with Middle East countries in general.
The U.S. military machine, moreover, would not need to remain on a constant state of vigilance in the Middle East once American reliance on oil as the main energy source ceases. Another positive effect would be, as “Last War for Oil?” also contends, to close one-third of the U.S. trade deficit which comes from oil imports. Reducing that deficit would tremendously help America’s balance of payments.
A humble contribution to Ben-Meir’s list would perhaps come as what should be the most important impetus for the United States in becoming energy-independent. Should America take the course suggested, it would assume the position of leadership in technological developments that would make it both energy-independent and more environment-friendly. At the moment, the United States single-handedly emits one-third of the carbonous gases in the world, even though it has less than 5% percent of the world’s population. Technical innovations that use carbon fuels more efficiently and reduce their harmful effects on the planet would be a big boost for American prestige; such a path can turn the image of the “selfish American” that began since the Bush administration’s withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol in 2001.
The most important challenge in reducing oil consumption in the United States would be to change American people’s choice of automobiles: Large pickup trucks, 4x4s, and SUVs need to go. This may prove even harder for Congress and the Bush administration than pulling out from Iraq because Americans really like their big cars. They are almost literally all over the place. On the other hand, the common good dictates that there is only one sensible solution with respect to motor vehicles with large engines: get rid of them! Taxes and other charges on these have to be raised dramatically in order to discourage potential buyers away from big cars and toward more environment-friendly vehicles.
A caveat is in order: being energy-independent is not the same thing as being environment-friendly. A spree to increase oil and coal production can make a bad situation worse for America. Reliance on new nuclear power plants with old technologies can be just as dangerous. This is not to suggest that increases in oil and coal production not be taken into account or that no new nuclear reactors be constructed. These options should certainly be pursued – but in a way that would make them safer and cleaner for the American people. Given the opportunities, in fact, nuclear power generators are less harmful to the atmosphere than power plants operating with fossil fuels.
The U.S. government should not weary of the task ahead in terms of funding research and development projects seeking new energy technologies: the path is onerous and initial dividends might not be too promising. However, the human kind has evolved from cooking food with fire to its present stage. The trajectory of scientific and technological development has been in a constant state of acceleration. There is every reason to be just as hopeful. After all, we do not know what we will invent until we actually invent it.
The path ahead of America is a hard one indeed. A push to become energy-independent has its promises and significant problems. However, the alternative is not so pleasant either. When considering the hopes for the future, nevertheless, it is impossible to disregard Prof. Ben-Meir’s conclusion: “if the tragic war in Iraq becomes the catalyst for freeing America from its addiction to foreign oil [and the world on American hegemony – BK], then the sacrifices made by America’s finest men and women will perhaps not have been entirely in vain.” Inshallah.
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Barın Kayaoğlu is a Ph.D. student in history at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia and a regular contributor to the Journal of Turkish Weekly.
E-mail: kayaoglu@virginia.edu
[1] Alon Ben-Meir, “Last War for Oil?” alonbenmeir-com, November 14, 2006; available from http://www.alonben-meir.com/articles/read/id/205; also available from http://www.turkishweekly.net/comments.php?id=2358.
