Asian energy security

In the post-Cold War era, Western governments have sought ways to alleviate or forestall the strategic vulnerability and constraints on foreign policy that dependency on foreign oil brings. A wide range of indicators suggest that dramatic developments are taking place in Asian energy markets. At the center is Asia’s mushrooming demand for oil, natural gas, and electricity to fuel its dynamic economic growth. China’s imports alone are predicted to exceed those of all OECD countries put together by 2016. Malaysia and Indonesia, which have traditionally been oil exporting countries, are now net importers of oil. Between 2002 and 2025, the oil import dependency of Southeast Asian nations will increase from 10 % to nearly 70 %.

The result is a profound and deepening sense of insecurity in Asia that promises to have important long-term geo-political implications for the region.