subject: Justin Dargin tells Importance of "the East" and Energy Security in the Gulf [print this page] Justin Dargin tells Importance of "the East" and Energy Security in the Gulf
Within recent years, energy security has become a high profile issue in the news, even in regard to business planning and political debate areas. Different nations of the world, especially Asia, have developed economically at a very rapid pace, as to compete with western countries for confined and limited resources. At present, energy security is a major issue for the concerned regions.
With increased economic development and growth Asian nations experienced a stepped energy demand. Observers noticed that Asian countries are rapidly forging closer ties with major gas and oil producing nations, in order to secure their country's needs and necessities. As a result, regions in Asia, particularly India and China, have experienced a an impressive outburst of development. Fossil fuels, as peculiar forms of energy, have practical application to a range of products from gas, oil, and petrochemicals. This causes fossil fuels to go East from the Gulf and brings new technologies, cheap consumer goods and migratory labor that will construct infrastructure westward to the Gulf.
Economic symbiosis and mutualism encroach on other arenas as well. With Asia's strategic and economic relations, new military and political ties may forge relationships that ultimately challenge the Gulf's dependent relationship with the US. The potential for this scenario is even greater if the US re-assesses it overseas commitments, because of budgetary concerns. However, the question remains, if budgetary concerns compel the the US to reduce its military presence, does that necessarily signal a decline in US influence?
The US interest in that area is not only military, but economic, political and strategic. The US also has its strategic partners, which are sometimes in conflict with each other. As we speak, President Obama has just returned from his trade trip to India. While little has been revealed, the story will continue to unfold.
