Geostrategic Solutions to Oil Vulnerabilities in the Gulf Region

For the foreseeable future, oil and gas will continue to be major determining geostrategic factors in the process of maintaining security and stability in the Arabian Gulf region. Oil vulnerabilities will continue to be a source of concern both in the region and abroad as long as fossil fuel sources occupy the largest share of the global energy mix. What is apparent, however, is that the largest international consumer of oil (the United States) has yet to devise a comprehensive solution to these vulnerabilities, and other countries are facing their own challenges in finding viable alternative options. This paper intends to explore new models of global governance in producer–consumer relations to ameliorate the adverse effects of oil vulnerabilities such as supply disruptions or “peak oil” scenarios. The paper will also seek to answer some vital questions regarding energy security, encompassing oil resource availability, reliability, affordability, and sustainability