Page 330 - A Call for a Turkish-Islamic Union

A CALL FOR A TURKISH-ISLAMIC UNION

Securing Energy Resources
Securing Energy Resources
At the beginning of the twentieth century, coal was the sin-

gle most important source of energy. In the 1950s, coal was re-
placed by oil. Before the Second World War, industry was driven
by steam power, which was fuelled by coal; after that war, oil
and combustion engine usage increased dramatically. In the lat-
ter part of the twentieth century, natural gas emerged as an al-

ternative energy source and began to play an important role in
the world economy.
At present, countries with oil and natural gas reserves are
crucial for the world economy in terms of output, political cli-
mate, and technological capability. The oil crisis of 1973 showed
just how important this energy source was for the global econ-

omy. The sudden and sharp rise in oil prices caused global dis-
order and recession, and similar crises were experienced in the
years after this event.
For this reason, the Muslim countries' great oil, natural gas,

and other valuable mineral reserves play an important role in the
West's relationship with Muslim nations. These countries' geopo-
litical importance is another crucial reason why the West seeks
control over these resources and influence in the region. In order
to strengthen its position, the West develops a variety of strate-
gies that resemble the colonial mentality of their imperialistic

past. These strategies destabilize the region, which, in turn, has a
negative impact on the West's interests.
Currently, America consumes approximately 20 million bar-
rels of oil per day. In the 1950s, it produced 52% of the world's
output; today, it imports 53% of its own consumption. Research

suggests that American reserves will be exhausted within the

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