‘Resource Wars’ in the Post-Cold War Era: The Persian Gulf Oil, US, and the Iraq War

This study focuses on the strategic region of the Persian Gulf and its oil resources, the US energy policy, and the Iraq War as a case in point. It refers to the importance of the Persian Gulf oil in the US policies and the US geopolitical practices to launch conflicts and wars in the post-Cold War era that scholars have categorized as “resource wars.” Reviewing relevant studies has revealed that amongst the natural resources oil as the most vital commodity has always played a major role in wars and conflicts. These studies also emphasized that access to oil reservoirs in the Persian Gulf as well as control of these resources have been vital to the United States because it answers the country’s domestic needs, supporting oil companies,and controlling its rivals to preserve its hegemonic leadership.