Oil and the United States’ Policy in the Persian Gulf: The Relevance of the Carter Doctrine

Abstract

The logical reasons for American invasion of Iraq can be found in the US’ 50 years of military involvement in the Persian Gulf. The purpose of these interventions has been to control the huge oil reserves in that area. In 1980, the White House proclaimed a foreign policy directive, the Carter Doctrine, which justifies the use of US troops in order to allow the free flow of oil from the Gulf to major markets of the West. Under George W. Bush’s
administration, the Carter Doctrine has been associated with a national energy policy that demands the maximization of oil extraction throughout the world. The result of these strategies has been the increasing use of military force as a way of ensuring the security of oil supplies.