Energy Security in the Middle East - Research Paper Example

Energy security in the Middle East Energy security is the association between the availability of the natural resources for energy consumption and energy security. Access to cheap energy has become significant in the functioning of modern economies. Significant vulnerability has emerged as a result of uneven distribution of energy supplies among various countries. Energy security is defines by the international energy agency as the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at a reasonable price. There are various aspects that have been associated with energy security. They include both short–term and long term energy security. Short-term energy security tend to focus on the ability of the system of energy to respond promptly to immediate changes in the supply-demand balance whereas the long term energy security deals with the timely investment targeting energy supply and in line with environmental needs and economic developments. The paper will discuss energy security in the Middle East by focusing on various aspects such as energy security threats as well as global issues that are associated with energy security (Christou & Adamides, 507). International relations and energy security There seems to be a consensus on the issue of energy security achieving a certain significance since the energy shocks that was witnessed in the 1970s, when present asymmetries between energy consumers and geographical distribution resources had been consolidated by most countries especially in the Middle East that depend on petroleum. Since the period, energy security has been incorporated into debates of the international relations theories. The existing international relations theories have demonstrated various approaches. The 1st approach focuses on the international political relations’ rational approach that is shaped by the structural imbalances between counties that produce and those that consume energy (Winzer, 36). The supply of oil has turned out to be a subject of perceived or real vulnerabilities. Much analysis has targeted the growing rate of energy import dependency as well as energy consumption of many of the states that are considered industrialized. One of the emphases has targeted the political conflicts that are in connection with natural resources. Breakdown of cross border energy trades has cast a sharp light on the efficacy of the institutions that regulate or govern this particular trade. The 2nd approach has focused on analyzing the efficiency of the international institutions of economics and how they have been able to enhance energy security. The 3rd approach has been associated with the political economy of energy that is characterized by diversity in trends towards a deregulation, energy technology, interdependency and foreign investment (Winzer, 40). The price formulation in the energy sector has been identifies as the primary source of political vulnerability. The last approach focuses on the international political economy criticism towards rational economic theories. The interest is taking into account the critical international political economy that is significant to the economic values such as liberalism and nationalism. Energy security threats There are various threats that target energy security. They include nationalization, the energy weapon, terrorism, piracy, conflict instability and accidents and labor unrest. Nationalization of the infrastructure of the energy industry entails some states controlling the operation of the international oil companies that is done through purchasing by less equitable methods, at a fair market value or through exploitation of the previously underdeveloped resources through oil companies that are state owned. The consequences of nationalization will continue to take place given that newly developed nationalized entity will continue to market and develop the product. In practice, however, nationalization is often associated with negative effects towards security of energy supply. The number of nationalized companies has continued to increase to approximately 92% in the Middle East. The move may result to shortages in energy supply as a result of relative inefficiency of nationalized oil companies and international oil companies (Ipek, 227). The operation of nationalized companies is considered to be lower than the international oil companies hence it will lead to reduced oil amount that is available for the market. The other issue that may arise is the rapacious diversion of revenue from gas and oil to government coffers. The move can lead to the country stripping their companies of capital to pay for non productive programs. The other threat to the energy security is the energy weapon which is a more fundamental challenge which stems from nationalization of gas and oil operations by the state and may result to disruption of energy supplies for political reasons (Winzer, 45). The intention of acting in such a manner is to force a group of consumer states, or a state to change their behavior in manner that the antagonist wishes. There are various examples of such a behavior throughout the age of oil and this affected the shipment methods, although the most recurring types affects energy supply through the pipeline. Russia is one of the countries that have been accused with interruption of energy supply. Global terrorism aimed at transportation facilities and oil extraction is a serious threat towards energy security. The energy sector is one of the rich targets for terrorists. A good example is what has been happening in Syria and Iraq when terrorists have targeted oil extraction sites and transportation resulting to huge resource losses and fluctuation of oil prices in the world. Pipelines that are used for transportation of oil and gas are vulnerable and it has been difficult to offer protection based on the fact that it crosses various international borders and different political jurisdiction. Instability and conflicts that has been experienced in various Middle East countries such as Iraq and Syria have a negative impact on the availability of energy supplies and oil. The impact can take place as a result of conflict in the countries that produce energy or transit countries which may result to disruption of refinement, extraction or transportation of energy resources. Around 56.6% of oil reserves had been located in the Middle East in 2009. The Middle East has witnessed series of valence and unrest in the recent year (Ipek, 230). Disruption of any major oil supplier by acts of violence and conflicts may lead to interference in the global energy supply that will result to competition of oil among the dependant countries. Short term and long term energy security Short-term energy security focuses on the energy system’s ability to respond promptly to immediate changes that affect the supply and demand balance. Absence of energy security is therefore linked to the negative social and economic impacts of either price that are overly volatile or competitive as well as physical unavailability of oil. Long-term energy security focuses on timely investment to supply energy in line with the sustainable environmental needs and economic development. Long term energy security centers on reducing dependency on imported energy sources, raising the number of suppliers and exploiting the native renewable energy resources or fossil fuel. It may also involve countries signing international agreements to boost international energy trading relationships (Kalicki, 78). Long-term energy security measures are vital in reducing the future cost of exporting or importing fuel into and out of the Middle East countries. Global issues in energy security Recent events targeting the world energy sector has brought energy security issues at the forefront. Volatile and high energy prices have raised concerns about the short-term risks to the growth of the economy as well as the long-term energy security. Even though the changes in price and other factors may mean different things in various countries, there is a growing common interest in ensuring the world is able to produce and utilize energy in a reasonable and sustainable manner to ensure the quality of life of the people in the world is improved. Enhancing energy security will require cooperative and far sighted international approach as well as variety of specific interventions and initiatives at the international and national levels. The two main issues that should be dealt with are the threat of global warming and its association to the utilization of fossil fuel as well as lack of healthy, clean and affordable energy which includes electricity. A large number of people in the world are still unable to access clean source of energy (Noël, 43). Conclusion The global community should put into consideration three pillars such as energy efficiency, dealing with volatility and diversification of energy supplies. In addition, the global community should be in a position to deal with threats to energy security which includes nationalization, terrorism, conflicts and instability as well as the energy that is affecting most countries in the Middle East that produce a lot of energy in the world (Christou & Adamides, 509). Work cited Christou, O., and C. Adamides. 'Energy Securitization And Desecuritization In The New Middle East'. Security Dialogue 44.5-6 (2013): 507-522. Web. Ipek, Pinar. 'Azerbaijan's Foreign Policy And Challenges For Energy Security'. The Middle East Journal 63.2 (2014): 227-239. Web. Kalicki, Jan H. 'Rx For "Oil Addiction": The Middle East And Energy Security'. Middle East Policy 14.1 (2011): 76-83. Web. Noël, Pierre. 'The New US Middle East Policy And Energy Security Challenges'. International Journal 62.1 (2013): 43. Web. Winzer, Christian. 'Conceptualizing Energy Security'. Energy Policy 46 (2012): 36-48. Web. Read More