ABSTRACT
This chapter examines East-West Asia energy relations and their geopolitical implications. The achievement of the energy security condition, namely to preserve regular energy supplies without disruptions, is one of the main targets for both energy suppliers and energy consumers (importer countries) in the global scenario. The Middle Eastern and East Asian countries share an interdependence to preserve their energy security condition: Middle Eastern oil and gas suppliers (mainly Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar) are key partners and larger exporters to satisfy the growing energy demand of East Asian countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea. This chapter analyzes the strategic relevance of West-East Asia energy relations and their implications. The combination of different geopolitical issues—the success of the shale gas revolution in the United States, the vulnerability of the energy chokepoints, and the difficulty of diversifying the energy routes of import/export—will contribute to enhancing the energy partnership between the Middle East and East Asia.
