ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on the foreignpolicy dimensions of energy security, as opposed to internal energy-market issues or the development of alternative and renewable sources of energy. It examines the EU’s general approach to energy security played out in the specific political contexts of different producer countries and regions. Iraq’s slide into civil anarchy involved a failure to return the country’s oil production levels even back to their modest Saddam-era levels. In 2005 Hurricane Katrina rendered inoperable significant amounts of US production capacity. The depth of commitment varied between regions; energy concerns had most impact on policy towards Russia, least on policy in Africa. Energy companies most commonly espoused free-market solutions, which pushing in practice for their own preferential long-term deals and geopolitical backing from national governments.
