THE GEOPOLITICS OF OIL

Capitol Hill Club | Washington, DC

June 7, 2012

It is the world's most important commodity. It fuels our cars and jets; it fuels economic growth and development; it fuels globalization and trade. It also fuels wars and conflict; it fuels terrorism and militancy; it fuels uncertainty and instability. It is a three-letter word that has shaped our post-World War II world and will continue to shape our world for at least the next three decades: OIL.

Policymakers understand the importance of energy security to the continued growth of the U.S. economy. To understand the future of energy security, however, it is vital to understand the geopolitics of oil. While alternative energies will continue to play a growing role in the US energy matrix, crude oil will remain the paramount piece of America's energy puzzle for at least the next decade. Today, our transportation infrastructure is entirely reliant on crude oil.

This seminar will put the world of oil into context for American policy-makers. From the Niger Delta to the Saudi desert, from south Texas to south Sudan, from Beijing to Bombay, from the Straits of Hormuz to the Straits of Malacca, the workshop will cover basic oil economics and markets, the geopolitics of oil, and the future of this vital global commodity. Leading experts will share their insights on a wide range of topics related to the geopolitics of oil and energy security. The seminar will include extensive discussion of new technologies paving the way for a future less reliant on crude oil.

SEMINAR TOPICS

• America's Foreign Oil Dependence: Where Do We Buy It Now — Where Will We Buy It In The Future?
• Saudi Arabia: The Central Bank of Oil
• The Hungry Giants: China, India, and the Future of Oil
• The Race for African Oil: The New Great Game
• Russian Oil and the Future of Europe
• The Return of Iraq: The Next Oil Giant
• Who Will Be the Saudi Arabia of Alternative Energy?
• The Return of Nuclear Energy to the Middle East
• Iran: A Fading Oil Power?
• The World's Leading Oil Chokepoints
• Central Asia and Pipeline Politics
• BRISK: Brazil, Russia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Kazakhstan and the Future of Energy
• From Oil Field to the Gas Pump: An A to Z Look at How We Fuel Our Cars

 

MODERATOR

AFSHIN MOLAVI is a fellow at the New America Foundation which is a non-partisan, Washington-based think tank devoted to pragmatic solutions to global problems. He is exploring the "new Silk Road" of business and finance linking the Middle East and Asia, as well as writing general features on the Middle East Region. Mr. Molavi has also worked at the International Finance Corporation where he was responsible for outreach to civil society, media, and NGOs in the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Southern Europe. He has covered Iran and the Persian Golf region for Reuters and the Washington Post. Mr. Molavi is the author of Persian Pilgrimages: Journeys Across Iran. He was the recipient of a Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Public Policy Fellowship and holds an MA in Middle East History and International Economics from the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies.

 

FEE

The fee for this one-day seminar is $675. Included are continental breakfast and working luncheon. The seminar will be held in a private meeting room at the Capitol Hill Club. An on-site staff person will assist participants as needed and coordinate daily activities.

 

REGISTRATION

The target audience for these seminars are civilians (GS-13 and above) and military (O-4 and above). Others who have a special interest in the subject, need-to-know, or are in key positions may apply. Seminar space is limited to assure participants have ample time for open discussion with presenters. Upon registration, attendees will receive confirmation via email. Cancellations will be accepted in writing up to two weeks prior to each program. After that time, substitutions will be accepted. The Agency will be billed if registration is cancelled after the deadline.

If you have any questions or need further information, please call Iris Fernandez or Patricia Patton at 703-684-8807.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Geopolitics of Oil Seminar will be held in a private meeting room at the Capitol Hill Club, located at 300 First Street, SE, Washington, DC. The Club is directly across the street from the Capitol South Metro Station (Blue and Orange Lines). Business attire for participants is required. Military uniform is optional.

Reporting information concerning registration time and workshop start and end times will be sent to all participants approximately 2 weeks prior to the start of each program. The seminar meeting room will be open at 8:00 am and the seminar will be conducted from 8:30 to 4:00 pm.

These programs are informal and strictly "off-the-record." No video, power point or audio-visual aids are utilized in the presentations.

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