Keeping America competitive requires affordable energy. And here we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world, said President George W. Bush in his February 1, 2006 State of the Union Address, delivered before a Joint Session of Congress. The hypothesis we try in this paper to test is the following: President Bush's pledge about putting an end to the US oil addiction is not a workable issue, neither on the short-term nor on the mid-term, as long as oil is still the main source of energy for humankind. We will demonstrate: 1 - that the OPEC and Saudi Arabia are still acting as the masters of the oil markets; 2 - that the US businessmen and politicians are still bound to the oil industry and policy is depending upon it; 3 - that as a consequence of this double dependence (economical and political), the US self-declared policy of encouraging reform and democracy in the Middle East is seriously handicapped as a wide portion of the terror financial network still escapes the US control.

An engaging look at the global oil industry and how to navigate the price volatility and new policies associated with it Oil is a constantly changing industry, and with the recent BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, more changes are expected. From extra equipment, higher-cost insurance, and expensive technology to mandatory third-party inspections, costly delays, and shifting investments, analysts say the price tag of regulation will be stiff and not confined to the Gulf. The oil industry affects everyone, and the machinations of a few industry heads, the "Barbarians of Oil," can drastically change the lives of investors and consumers. In Barbarians of Oil author Sandy Franks offers the tips needed to avoid future market dips and dives as well as safeguard your investments and profit in the future. Details the petro-land grab in Africa, the Bush-Halliburton Era, the Gulf Wars, and the political dangers to the United States in Iran, Iraq, and other oil-rich nations Looks at the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the impending long-term effects on investments and policy Explores the evolution of the modern oil industry including major corporations such as ExxonMobile, ConcoPhillips, Cheveron, and BP Barbarians of Oil is a timely must read for hard-working Americans concerned with their prosperity, as well as for those fascinated with the inner workings of the oil industry.

“I plan to deliver an address from the Oval Office one month from today. The topic will be oil dependence.” With these opening words, Freedom from Oil takes the reader to the highest levels of government, as Cabinet members and White House aides debate how to break our addiction to oil. In a fast-moving narrative, David Sandalow shows how to solve this problem while offering a unique window into the White House at work. A White House veteran, Sandalow explores what would happen if the next President made breaking the United States' addiction to oil a top priority. In crisp and clear prose, Sandalow explains the size of the challenge and then offers a powerful message of hope. “This issue unites Americans,” he writes. “Game-changing technologies are at hand.” Plug-in cars, biofuels and measures to improve traffic are all part of the solution. Throughout the book, profiles of fascinating individuals help bring serious policy dialogue to life. From the commander of U.S. forces in western Iraq to a grandmother in northern Alaska to an electric car entrepreneur to the winner of the Indianapolis 500, Freedom from Oil is filled with stories of people whose lives have been touched by oil dependence-and are working to find solutions. Drawing on both his government experience and energy expertise, Sandalow depicts the President's top advisers as they explore options, shape solutions and create national policy, culminating in an inspiring speech by the President to the nation.

“A valuable addition to the new wave of critical studies on the history of oil and energy policy”—and a bracing corrective to longstanding myths (James M. Gustafson, Diplomatic History). Conventional wisdom tells us that the US military presence in the Persian Gulf is what guarantees American access to oil; that the “special” relationship with Saudi Arabia is necessary to stabilize an otherwise volatile market; and that these assumptions in turn provide Washington enormous leverage over Europe and Asia. But the conventional wisdom is wrong. Robert Vitalis debunks the myths of “oilcraft”, a line of magical thinking closer to witchcraft than statecraft. Oil is a commodity like any other: bought, sold, and subject to market forces. Vitalis exposes the suspect fears of oil scarcity and investigates the geopolitical impact of these false beliefs. In particular, Vitalis shows how we can reconsider the question of the US-Saudi special relationship, which confuses and traps many into unnecessarily accepting what they imagine is a devil’s bargain. Freeing ourselves from the spell of oilcraft won’t be easy, but the benefits make it essential.