The US oil embargo: Is imperialist aggression triggering a world war?

News: Cenk BAŞBOĞAOĞLU-12punto

Following the occupation of Venezuela by the United States (US) at the beginning of the new year, the threats made by US President Trump against Cuba in his statements drew attention. 

On January 30, Trump signed a decree declaring a "national emergency" and allowing for the imposition of customs duties on goods imported from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba. As Cuba experiences fuel shortages due to this decree, Russia's intervention has raised the question of whether a war is imminent. 

THE MOST CRITICAL TOPIC: OIL

Foreign News Reporter Erkin Öncan answered 12punto's questions. When asked how the oil crisis should be interpreted, Öncan replied, "Energy markets are one of the fundamental elements shaping world politics, and existing trade routes have become even more important as technology and production power have developed, turning into one of the layers of the multi-layered structure of international crises.

To be concrete, the tension currently experienced in the Asia-Pacific, the Russia-Ukraine war, the emerging tension between the US and Europe, and the Greenland crisis can all be read in the context of this energy competition. Because all the geographies where disputes arise and conflicts break out are also on important trade routes. 

Therefore, I think the current oil crisis should also be read as an important part of the ongoing international crisis. In fact, oil can be seen as the most critical of these topics in terms of its place in energy." 

'THE US IS PREPARING FOR A FINAL SHOWDOWN'

Regarding the question of whether the oil embargo imposed on Cuba could lead to a war of partition, Öncan stated, "I think this issue needs to be divided into two. First, the US has increased its control over Venezuela's resources. This is a process that took place after the unlawful abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, as we will recall. The oil coming from the new Venezuelan field will be operated through US channels and marketed by the US. In other words, as a classic output of the military pressure strategy of neoliberal capitalism, it is a strategy of seizing raw materials directly and controlling the flow of revenue…

On the one hand, the 'measures' implemented by the US against Cuba within the scope of the same imperialist aggression are also causing difficult days for Cuba, and with this step, which is named a 'measure,' Trump has set his sights on another target in Latin America. In this position, the attitudes of Russia, China, and Iran are important.

As for the world war issue, it is true that the US has entered a phase of open aggression again with the Trump era. It is also true that this aggression, along with Iran, is primarily targeting China. Since all the countries targeted by the US are countries with which China is in close cooperation in the international arena, it shows that this entire process also functions to 'contain China.' 

The US, as an imperialist-capitalist center, ultimately has to maintain its existence by continuing its aggression, at least that is what the 'book' tells us. The rise of the 'multipolar world' option against the US also points to a new level of global interaction that the US will target and try to weaken 'by force if necessary.'

So yes, the US is preparing for a kind of 'final showdown.' However, whether this showdown will turn into a devastating world war in the near future depends on the coordination of other world countries that can stand firm against the US, especially China." 

'IRAN IS ONE OF THE PRIORITY TARGETS'

Regarding whether Iran will be a target in another wing of the crisis, Öncan said, "Iran has of course been a target of the US for a long time. Along with nuclear tension, sanctions on the oil and petro-chemical sector, pressure on banks and shipping, and efforts to block trade channels continue. Regarding Iran, as in other matters, it is possible to speak of a continuity in US policy. What is variable is the tools with which the 'maximum pressure' policy, which can be considered indispensable for the US, is implemented. The current trend is military pressure, as we can understand from Trump's constant mention of US ships. Although Iran is a power that can stand against military pressure, it is more difficult when it comes to a comprehensive economic pressure and isolation policy for Tehran. Therefore, Iran is of course one of the priority targets."

News Source: 12punto