The Geopolitical and Strategic Importance of the Persian Gulf - Essay Example

This critical thinking essay will discuss the geopolitical and strategic importance of the Persian Gulf in relation to contemporary international affairs in the region. International affairs regarding the Asian region are greatly influenced by politics relating to oil and waterways. The Persian Gulf is geopolitically and strategically important to the international affairs of the states in the region. The political and strategic characteristics of the Persian Gulf have been growing increasingly. The increased growth is mainly attributed to the economic significance of the region as a source of global energy. However, the growth of this reason has resulted in both positive and negative effects. Negative impacts can clearly be depicted by the several conflicts affecting the region that are frequently ignited by an outside power (Nyrop, 2008).

The August 2, 1990, Iraq invasion of Kuwait, is an example of such war. The US intervened arguing that it was liberating Kuwait from Saddam Hussein. The U.S. sought to convince about 35 nations to support the move to liberate Kuwait through military action. The Persian Gulf War led to increased rivalry between countries in the region. The conflicts are often ignited by fighting for resources such as water and resources such as oil. The frequent conflict has become of great concern in international affairs (Ungerman, 2000; Darvishi & Javilvand, 2010).

The Persian Gulf is of great geopolitical and strategic importance due to its role in supplying most of the world’s resources. Natural resources such as water and energy are increasingly becoming scarce. Therefore regions such as the Persian Gulf, which supplies most of the energy to the world due to its great oil and gas resources are expected to continue to be of great importance to international affairs. Therefore, the Persian region is expected to continue being politically important due to its great role as an energy supplier. Moreover, the fight for energy is responsible for most of the past conflicts over energy (Darvishi & Javilvand, 2010; Ungerman, 2000)

Therefore, the region is expected to continue being significant in international affairs since tension is expected to continue growing since the energy requirement across the globe is increasing and countries such as China are expected to require about 5 million barrels per day b 2015. Since the oil will be derived from the region, Asian countries are likely to be characterized by increased interstate conflicts, and weapon proliferation, which will require intervention from outside powers such as the US as, demonstrated in the Hidden Wars of Desert Storm  (Ungerman, 2000). There is a need for constructive cooperation of the international community in resolving the political and military conflict. The international community can aid in sharing of resources between the warring countries (Darvishi & Javilvand, 2010; Sepehri, 2002).

The Persian Gulf is of great strategic importance. This is because it links Asia, Africa, and Europe.