Oil relations
A geologist in the Middle East once said "The oil in this region is the single greatest prize in all of history." Indeed Middle Eastern oil which consists of two thirds of the worlds entire oil reserve, is to some people, quite a prize. Oil has awarded money and power to many people. Oil, on the other hand, has also created a plethora of problems including economic unrest, political turmoil, war, and severe ecological repercussions. The US relies heavily on oil and more specifically Middle Eastern oil and as a result the relations between the US and the Middle East have largely been dictated by oil throughout the past decade.