The production and consumption of oil has emerged as a major factor in international economics in general and in regional and national development in particular. The struggle for access to oil and gas resources has become even more fierce, affecting the long-range strategic planning of the superpowers and causing a shift in the world balance of trade. Middle East Oil Crises Since 1973 is the logical sequel to Dr. Shwadran’s classic, The Middle East, Oil and the Great Powers. In this new work, Dr. Shwadran delineates the changes in the power equation, the political atmosphere, and the resources of the participants since 1973. He marshals persuasive evidence to show that economic forces, narrow vision, and the absence of strategic planning were the major contributing factors for the oil crises of the past decade, rather than the Arab-Israeli war.