In his new book, “Blood and Oil,” Professor Michael Klare argues and the American military has become a global petroleum security force. Iraq is just the latest example in a string of conflicts based on the need to secure a steady supply of oil.

But, Klare asserts, the United States has chosen the course of “securitizing” oil rather than making a concerted effort to cut back consumption and develop alternatives. Klare says that this decision will be the dominate factor in U.S. foreign policy in the coming decades, condemning the U.S. military to perpetual struggle against hostile indigenous forces attempting to control their own resource.

Hear a conversation with Professor Michael Klare about oil, America’s foreign policy, and alternative fuel supply resources.

Guests:

Michael T. Klare, Five College Professor of Peace and World Security Studies, based at Hampshire College, author of “Blood and Oil: The Dangers and Consequences of America’s Growing Petroleum Dependency”

Robert Ebel, chairman of the Energy Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, co-director of the Caspian Sea Oil Study Group, author of numerous books on the oil industry, served with the CIA for 11 years.