U.S. FOREIGN POLICY TOWARDS THE KURDISH POLITICAL STRUGGLE IN SOUTHERN KURDISTAN (1991-2000)

Abstract

Washington's problem is not with Saddam Hussein per se but primarily with Iraq's potential as an independent regional power, which might someday try to opt for strategic deterrence vis-a-vis Israel, and which might also challenge American's custodianship over Arab oil in the future. The United States is the greatest consumer of oil production with around 25% of global consumption, while its production of oil is just 10% of international oil output. The United States imports 11.66 million barrels daily, which can be around 60 % of its national consumption. 59% of this oil is from the Arab Gulf and it is forecasted that this will increase to 60% in the next year.