Energy and Energy Security as Means of Changing International Political and Security Equations (Case Study: Energy Security Strategy of the United States and UK)

The increasing dependence of global economy on energy، especially hydrocarbon energy resources، and the importance of safe، secure and sustainable access to those resources have made the security of energy supply and transit a matter of utmost importance for countries. A large part of the known energy resources of the world are located in regions which are characterized by increasing political instability and widespread security threats. On the other hand، energy transfer lines often cross the most insecure regions of the world and are considered easy targets for radical groups. All these issues in addition to the willingness of certain countries for taking advantage of energy as a political tool have added to the importance of energy in political and security equations of the world. The present paper aims to expound the importance of energy security and discuss its impact on international equations.