Michael Klare

"Rather, the administration adopted a series of policies that together formed a blueprint for political, economic and military action in the Gulf. This approach—I call it the strategy of maxim extraction—was aimed primarily at boosting the oil output of the major Gulf producers. but since the sought-after increases could be doomed by instability and conflict in the region, the strategy also entailed increased military intervention."

"The way ahead is clear. We must repudiate the false promise of the Bush-Cheney energy plan and select the path of autonomy, self-restraint, and innovation. If we strengthen our resolve, accept a degree of self-discipline, and embrace the new technologies, we will escape the trap of dependency and establish a secure, sustainable, and responsible energy system; if we fail to do these things, we will condemn ourselves to rising bloodshed abroad and hardship at home. The choice is ours. The time of decision is now. It is not too late to abandon our allegiance to oil at any cost and embark on a new energy path. but it might soon be."