Is foreign oil a national security issue?

Question

I am not advocating or opposing the use of oil. I am just asking is the use and dependence of foreign oil harmful to national security?

To Mutant Albino.....

Absolutely. My friend is a Chemical Engineer who used to work for Exxon and is now working for another major oil company. He educated me on the fact that oil makes over 500 different things, including laundry detergent. I never questioned the ligitimacy of oil in general. I am only questioning the national security implications of a foreign energy source.

Answer 1

There is an unmistakable correlation between the two.

Some heavy importers of oil are not stable or can be trusted.

While people pay high prices for their energy needs, those receiving payment have other ideas what to do with it.

This presents a danger and it's quite ironic that we pay for security at the pump.

By allowing import of a good deal of our high oil consumption, we promote terrorist activities.

I only wish there was a better way to starve off would be terrorists.

Kind of asks the question is it worth cutting off your nose to spite your face?

Continued dependence on foreign oil has to have damaging consequences. No doubt.

Answer 2

The free flow of oil at market prices is a national security issue for all civilized nations, no matter where the oil comes from. Having to depend on foreign sources is always a less than desirable situation. Domestic energy sources are the answer for each nation.

Answer 3

I really wish they would try to teach people this in school so there would be less time consuming arguements over something everyone should know. You can't talk about foreing oil as if it were some sort of option.
Of course it's a national security issue: No foreign oil = economic disaster. That is harmful. Not if we all held hands and got along, but some people in Iraq and Iran and other places would definately use oil to try to collapse the American economy if they felt they needed it enough. They don't have as much as Americans, as in they are not so used to having as much, as in, they could more easily deal with the destruction of the world's economy. They would like to see everyone live like them even if it means they also have to take a dive in living standards.
On the other hand, it is a bonus to be able to buy from outside the country, because if you can't then you simply don't have enough oil and the economy crashes anyway (or never takes off).
The other thing they need to teach is how the world screwed itself by becoming so dependant on oil in the first place. The "eco-friendly" nut jobs out there yelling about car emissions. Car emissions are not the problem with oil. The problem is everyone is employed somehow by oil. You can't just make electric cars without the thinking of the consequences of unemployment. If cars all started using electricity or hydrogen or Iran pulls the plug prices for oil skyrocket out of controll and KY Jelly Corp. Toys R' Us. Insurance, power companies, telephone companies, everyone goes out of business. If there's no more oil, no one's driving to work, no one's turning on the lights, no one's eating.
So, is it harmful as a national security issue? Yes, but more importantly it's harmful as a world security issue.

Answer 4

Sorry about answering a question with a question but here goes.

What would you do if in two weeks there was no gas in any gas stations, the power was off and there was little to no food in the grocery stores?

Would you call that a security issue?

I say yes.

Answer 5

by using fact regardless of if we began refining oil the recent flora could take 5-10 years to start somewhat extracting oil. additionally with basically 3% of the international's US reserves, is it worth it?

Answer 6

It's an economic issue that has something to do with national security.

Answer 7

Right now, it is a big issue.
I Cr 13;8a