The entire article is available in the publication "International disputes" (Warsaw: 2012). Its introduction is provided below.
Growth of the world’s dependence on energy coupled with economic development and increase in energy consumption determine the access to stable energy supplies. Within such context energy itself becomes a real condition for global security and peace. Dozens of preconditions related to oil, gas and nuclear power pose the threat of states conflicts.
Such a danger can be observed nowadays in the Gulf, where the US and Iran forces test their composure and self-control. But this menace of war is not an exception. Conflicts built upon clash over the energy resources took place in the past and will probably (not to say certainly) occur in the future. This is a consequence of energy being a trigger that can act both as a measure or a target of international activity undertaken. Operating in such conditions is a huge challenge.
Placing my considerations in the above context, in this paper I try to present and elaborate upon the most important conflicts in the field of energy. For the purpose of the article I understand the term “energy” as oil and nuclear power sectors. The geopolitical frame of reference of my paper is the Middle East. Due to this region's paramount contribution to global economy and world’s security (including energy security), I limit myself to comment only on this part of the world. This, however, does not entail my denying the significance of other international conflict situations (e.g. the North Korean nuclear program, or the Russian-Ukrainian gas disputes). For this reason, I present 1973 Yom Kippur war, Iran-Iraq conflict in 1980s, the First and the Second Gulf War and disputes over Iranian nuclear program, indicating their “energy background”.
