World in conflict unlimited reinforcement points

#World in conflict unlimited reinforcement points free

The Pan-Arab, Pan-Islam movement is centered in the Middle East and its influence extends westward to Morocco, deep into Africa, eastward to India.

It is a symbolic and emotional area here are centered the shrines of three of the world's great religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The political and psychological significance of the Middle East is a major part of its strategic importance. Conversely Soviet control of bases in Egypt and Syria would neutralize the present Western geographic and base advantage in the area. Sixth Fleet, are closer to the Soviet Union's south central area-the site of many of its important industrial and military facilities-than any others. And available bases like those at Dhahran in Saudi Arabia, at Adana in Turkey, at Habbaniyah in Iraq, and in Cyprus, as well as the aircraft carriers of the U. The chains of rugged mountains backed up by hundreds of miles of desert, extending from the Caucasus to the Himalayas, provide major obstacles to any land invasion of the area from the Soviet Union. The Turkish Dardanelles control the debouchment of Soviet submarines or surface ships into the Mediterranean. Geography also endows it with importance.

The Middle East, then, is a key area in trade routes, communications and transportation. Radio communications -so crucial today in the struggle between truth and falsehood- focus in Egypt, Israel, Beirut and Cyprus. Global air routes from Europe to the Far East cross the Middle East, and oil pipelines seam the deserts. It is a land bridge between three continents, and the Nile Valley and the Moslem lands of North Africa are gateways to the great undeveloped continent of Africa. The area is a highly important communications hub. The other factors that give the Middle East its vast importance are too well known to need elaboration. The revenues received by Great Britain from her holdings in Iraq, Kuwait and elsewhere help materially to sustain the sterling bloc. Furthermore, the oil fields mean much financially to several of our principal Allies, especially the United Kingdom. Middle East oil, provided the Mediterranean route remains open, is the cheapest oil source available to Western Europe over any long-term period it is well-nigh indispensable to the industry and economy of Western Europe and it is therefore a major factor in the cold war.

There is today no foreseeable substitute for oil as a source of power nuclear energy may supplement but will not replace it. Despite the development of nuclear power, Western Europe's needs for oil will increase steeply for at least the next 20 years-and probably for the next half century. Nevertheless the oil of the Middle East is a major economic factor in the well-being of Western Europe. During limited periods of emergency the Western world can live without Middle East oil, and this fact is perhaps the strongest answer to political blackmail from any quarter. NATO's strategic planning cannot count upon use of Middle Eastern oil in another war and Western Europe-with United States help- can probably fight without it. The Suez Canal was closed intermittently during World War II and would probably be closed during any future war. This was demonstrated during the past winter when alternative sources of supply and new routes were utilized. For limited periods even Western Europe can get along without the 'black gold' of Kuwait, Bahrein, Iran and Iraq. Western Hemisphere sources can supply United States needs, though costs would undoubtedly increase if the West were denied Middle East oil. Access to this oil and use of it at reasonable prices cannot be termed 'vital' to the United States.

#World in conflict unlimited reinforcement points free

The Middle East oil fields, stretching in a great arc from Iran and Iraq around the Persian Gulf, comprise collectively the largest known petroleum deposits, approximating about two-thirds of the oil reserve of the free world. Oil, trade routes, geography and terrain, faith and ideology, all contribute to the strategic importance of the Middle East. The strategic importance of this crossroads between continents and its relationship to the world conflict were again emphasized by the clash of arms in an area where man first raised sword to man. LAST fall's Suez crisis restored the Middle East to proper perspective in the war offices of the world.