To What Extent Is the Global Supply of Energy Dependent on Co-Operation Between Different Countries? (15 Marks)

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The global supply of energy is dependent on the co-operation between different countries in a number of different ways. One example is the relationship between Russia and Ukraine is an uncomfortable one. While Russia does supply gas to Ukraine it has on a number of times shut of the gas supplies over arguments about prices and debts. This is a clear example of how countries need to have a good relationship in order to get the best supply of energy. An example of this is China. They realised that they may need to import fossil fuels from the Middle East in the future so they have started to build good relationships with countries from the Middle East. Although they did not have any long-standing strategic interests in the Middle East they realise that the relationship between them and the region where most of its oil comes from is becoming increasingly important. One of the key components to them forming good relationships with the Middle East is by cultivating with Saudi Arabia. While China have been doing this the countries In the Middle East with the oil have been trying to shift away from having a customer base from over dependence on the Western market and so they have been looking at rapidly growing markets like China. Another example of how a good relationship leafs to a good supply of energy is the case of the US and Saudi Arabia. They had a symbiotic relationship, meaning that they depended on each other, but in the aftermath of 9/11 their relationship has become increasingly strained. This is because 15 out of the 19 hijackers were of Saudi nationality. However, they need to have a good relationship so they can both survive as Saudi Arabia need the money from exporting and the US need the energy. In conclusion, the global supply of energy is almost completely dependant on co-operation between countries as without good co-operation the some countries

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