of a renewed use of the oil weapon by Middle East oil-exporting nations. The United States, having made no effort to reduce its glutinous habits is even more dependent on imported oil than it was in the 1970s (International Energy Agency, 2002). This study investigated the potential for a renewed use of the oil weapon against the United States by Middle East oil-exporting nations.
The purpose of this study was multifaceted. The facets of the study purpose were as follows:
Examine the international trade environment between Middle East member states of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member states in the September 2002-August 2003 period
Within a framework of international relations
To assess the likelihood of the ability and willingness of Middle East oil-exporting nations to use the oil weapon effectively against the United States
The study investigated one research question as follows: What is the likelihood that Middle East member state of OPEC will attempt to use the oil weapon against the United States considering the international political environment in 2002-2003?
The effective use of the oil weapon against the United States could severely damage the United States economy. Further, an effective action of this type could harm the international political stature of the United States (Tran, 2002).
The definition of the concept of the ôoil weaponö is a severe reduction in available crude oil for import into the United States. The definition of the concept of the international oil production and consumption environment includes the oil deficit of the United States and the oil surplus of oil producing nations.
2.1 Vulnerability of the United States
The vulnerability of the United States to the use of the oil weapon by oil exporting countries derives largely from the crude oil consumption/production surplus or...