Eleventh Global Studies Conference

Abstract

The role of the Mediterranean area in the formulation of future hydro-carbon pipelines is a crucial strategic matter, not only the for acquisition and delivery of energy from the source countries to those who need it, but also because it has the effect of changing the dynamics of the region from a geopolitical and geo-economic standpoint. Hence, we can naturally expect formation of new future alignments in the region that can be both in a competing or cooperating temper. Depending on the nature of relations between regional and external powers in the region, one can expect to see further instability developing. So, it is not a coincidence that some scholars defined the civil war in Libya to be a competition over petrol, whereas they described the civil war in Syria as being about natural gas. This paper focuses on the likely competitive hydro-carbon pipeline routes that are currently supported by regional and external powers aiming to reach the Mediterranean and beyond. This examination effort helps us to determine the energy mind set alignments in the making that are bound to make geopolitical shifts in the region.