ABSTRACT
Many states appear to have strong sentiment on energy security and energy transit vulnerability. Analysts of energy security are more divided on the severity of state energy vulnerabilities and its impact. Some analysts see global trends with effi cient energy markets and growing options on renewables suggesting fairly relaxed energy outlooks. Others anticipate growing competition for scarce energy resources inevitably leading to geopolitical confl icts, or conversely, geopolitical competition driving a confl ict-ridden energy race. Still others worry about the emergence of a misplaced nationalistic “cult of energy insecurity” turning countries toward greater rivalry and confl ict than warranted. 1 How can we understand this apparent dissonance?
