John Foster will address recent conflicts in the greater Middle East. The players involved are oil-producing countries, pipeline transit countries and major powers. He will explore military interventions, tensions around international waterways, and the use of sanctions, interventions and political interference related to the petroleum trade.

Coveting the petroleum of another country is against the rules of international law. Yet, if accomplished surreptitiously, under the cover of some laudable action, it’s a bonanza. This is the basis of “the petroleum game,” the jockeying for control of the world’s oil and natural gas. It’s an ongoing rivalry among global and regional countries, each pursuing its own interests and using whatever tools, allies and organizations offer advantage.

Drawing on his book, Oil and World Politics: The real story of today’s conflict zones – Iraq, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Ukraine and more, John illuminates government actions and petroleum-related dynamics that are rarely discussed publicly.

Biography of Speaker:
As ano international oil ecnomist, John Foster witnessed the geopolitics of petroleum in more than 30 countries. His experience includes positions with the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, BP group and Petro-Canada in three capital cities (London, Washington DC, Ottawa). He grew up in London, graduating in economics and law from Cambridge University. In the past decade, he has given talks across Canada on petroleum rivalries and conflicts. His new book is Oil and World Politics: The real story of today’s conflict zones – Iraq, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Ukraine and more (Lorimer, Toronto. 2018).

RSVP:
Hamid Jorjani, Chair, MESG-CIC/NCB
hjorjani@bell.net