Political Power & The Arab Oil Weapon

Abstract

Licklider selected an interesting topic and in spite of the logistical problems that face such a study, he has done a remarkable job. His book is a wealth of information and a record on a very contemporary issue. It is history which is still unfolding. The “oil weapon” was a treasure in the Arab arsenal. They used it and realized its worth. The deployment of the “oil weapon” by the Arabs also showed them how helpless they were although they thought the “lifeline” of the industrial world- oil -was under their control. Licklider’s book is seemingly weak in many areas because he has had to depend on personal interview. It is not unusual for politicians and others to deny statements or remarks made in such conversations. Also, Licklider appears to be acting as “gatekeeper” by seeming to use only that portion of the information he gathered which comfortably satisfies his thesis. The author has included some useful observations. For instance he has mentioned that Japan apologized to Israel for the Lod Airport incidence and sent a delegation to the Arabs to apologize for apologizing to Israel. These and many facts related by Licklider demonstrate now immoral the industrial nations are especially in the case of Britain-the real father of the Zionist entity. But more importantly such happenings reflect the helplessness of the Arab countries: they knew that the industrial nations were deploying double standards but they swallowed these bitter pills because they did not have any alternatives. Licklider’s book also brings into focus an important aspect of world politics which is that no one can win an argument using a single weapon. The Arabs had but oil to deploy. They did not fathom the reach of the doctored Christian mind that has made people believe in the righteousness of the creation of a state for the Jews. In fact this belief is so strong that the West considers it a “moral” duty to support this entity without harboring any moral qualms about the Palestinians diaspora. The “friendly” and “non-friendly” labels granted to the industrial countries by the Arabs is another manifestation of their weakness. It is clear from facts gathered by Licklider that although the Arabs fired their shot they did ...