Middle East bases persist to dominate oil reserves, not to deter the Soviet Union

Evidence

In the 1990s, like today, the Middle East was perhaps the most strategically important region, chiefly because it houses the world’s largest oil reserves—oil being, of course, the lifeblood of the world economy. Virtually every US intervention in the region is related either directly or indirectly to the question of control over the flow of oil. In this context, Islamist groups and nations were cast as allies or enemies based on their degree of acquiescence to US aims. — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 268 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

American identity during the Cold War (1947–1991) rested heavily on detesting the Soviet Union and the ideas, images, and icons that represented it. Performances of this hate validated one’s citizenship, patriotism, and Americanness. Hollywood and television glorified the savior state (the United States), armed with the humanitarian mandate to vanquish a nemesis that threatened not only its own citizenry, but also the stability of the world at large. Freedom-loving soldiers like Rambo and fighting archetypes like Rocky battled rival communists in battleground nations, the boxing ring, or wherever the threat loomed and lingered. Being American during the Cold War rested largely on hating the Soviet Union and communism, and performing that hate through political rhetoric, associations, and opposition to anything affiliated with the Soviet Union. Our identity, as Americans, was defined by who and what we hated. And for those aspiring to become American, performance of this hate was a vital part of the process of becoming American. — Khaled A. Beydoun, American Islamophobia_ Understanding…, 220 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

The first Texas bookmobile, in 1930, carried about 1,400 volumes; the New Deal WPA project provided another thirty-three bookmobiles. … Ironically, it was Cold War anxieties of Soviet technological superiority that spurred a concerted effort to improve library provision in rural areas through the Library Services Act of 1956. — Andrew Pettegree, Arthur der Weduwen, The Library- A Fragile History, 831 (#contradicts, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Middle East oil control drives virtually every US regional intervention — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 268; Cold War American identity was built on performed hatred of the Soviet Union. — Khaled A. Beydoun, American Islamophobia_ Understanding…, 220; Cold War competition with the Soviet Union drove US rural library expansion — Andrew Pettegree, Arthur der Weduwen, The Library- A Fragile History, 831 (+1 more)

Related

• Middle East oil control drives virtually every US regional intervention (similarity 0.85)
• Cold War competition with the Soviet Union drove US rural library expansion (similarity 0.84)
• Cold War American identity was built on performed hatred of the Soviet Union. (similarity 0.81)

Broader Connections

• Middle East oil control drives virtually every US regional intervention #corroborates (0.85) — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 268
• Cold War American identity was built on performed hatred of the Soviet Union. #corroborates (0.60) — Khaled A. Beydoun, American Islamophobia_ Understanding…, 220
• Cold War competition with the Soviet Union drove US rural library expansion #contradicts (0.50) — Andrew Pettegree, Arthur der Weduwen, The Library- A Fragile History, 831