Energy as a weapon of war: Lessons from 50 years of energy interdependence

Abstract

The Organization of the Petroleum‐Exporting Countries (OPEC) used oil as a weapon against Western countries supporting Israel in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. From 2021, Russia used a similar strategy of restricting gas flows to Europe, while Europe later reduced Russia's market access. In these cases, there was economic and political damage. These examples show that energy is a weapon used to pressure sovereign states. Energy is a multidimensional resource that reflects broader ties within the political‐economic system of international relations. This comparative study identifies four components that enable energy as a weapon: interdependence, energy security, neoliberal economics and sovereignty. Four key policy lessons emerge to improve energy security: (1) determine the acceptable limits of energy dependence, (2) acknowledge institutions and markets cannot deliver energy security outside their design parameters, (3) energy security requires addressing the entire value chain, and (4) energy is a weapon that threatens state sovereignty. The collapse of the gas trade between Russia and the EU creates instability and removes the pillar of interdependency; this now ushers in a new era.

Neoauthoritarianism as a Challenge to Global Security

“…A clear example is Russia's blocking of the "grain corridor," through which Ukraine provides the food needs of those countries that are at risk of starvation; -uses the tool of blackmail in international politics (energy, nuclear, etc.) (LaBelle, 2023;Szulecki, Overland, 2023). Vivid examples of 2022-2023 are the weaponization of energy by Russia: gas blackmail against the EU, use of control over Ukrain-ian nuclear power plants (Chornobyl and Zaporizhzhia) for nuclear blackmail, targeted destruction of the energy infrastructure of other states and sabotage of such facilities.…”

Characteristics of household energy consumption in the shadow of the Russia-Ukraine war - a case study from Hungary

“…As a result, the overall picture for energy supply across the European Union has become bleak, with more uncertainties and challenges. Governments are facing an energy crisis that has not been seen since the 1970s interdependence-based energy security has become fragile [1]. The current energy crisis challenges the energy policy in all components of the 4A concept (accessibility, availability, affordability, and acceptability).…”