Korean Energy Economic Review ISSN:1599-7057(Print) 에너지경제연구

This paper analyzes the relationship between energy crisis (economic phenomenon) and military intervention (political action) through the concept of 'energy security'. The idea of military intervention in the Persian Gulf region was started right after the first oil crisis, and U.S. military commitments in the region should be examined to understand the U.S. military intervention during Persian Gulf War. This paper reviews U.S. foreign policy, especially that is related to Persian Gulf energy security, then it focuses four components of energy security: adequate quantity, reasonable price, reliable supplier, and safe transportation. And it explains how oil factor (energy security) was related with national security & military intervention in case of the first Persian Gulf War. The conclusion of the paper is that the energy crisis resulted from Iraq attack on Kuwait was an energy security threat and national security threat as well. To counter the threat U.S. responded it by military forces in line with Carter Doctrine to secure its energy supply.