A Petroleum and foreign policy discussion was hosted by Southeast Missouri State University former associate professor of history Dr. Frank Nickel at the Cape Public Library for speaker Bud Craven Wednesday.

Craven’s presentation was titled “U.S Foreign Policy and Petroleum: Choosing the Least Bad Solution.”

Craven said America has had substantial influence and control when dealing with petroleum throughout history, but there has been speculation on how much influence and control America has now.

Before starting his presentation, researched information was given to attendees on petroleum and foreign policy with data that emphasizes the change the U.S. has seen historically.

The attendees also received several pieces of related documentation for reference to use as a guide throughout his presentation.

“The thing I am most excited about and that I always point out to people, I had never heard of is this book, because I’m not an oil person, it is called ‘The Prize’ 925 pages and it’s everything you want to know about oil,” Craven said.

Involving the audience in his topic, he asked if anybody could name anything that does not use oil, and most of the audience seemed to be stuck in contemplation about the question.

“All of our businesses, no matter the location and secondly defense, if you are going to have a country then oil is monumental,” Craven said.

He shedded light on how the U.S handled petroleum and foreign policy from the 1900s up until 2013.

He explained that some methods have left morality to become questionable because to what extent would America go to ensure they have control.

“Foreign policy and decisions, some of them make a lot of sense and others are like did we really do that, did we deny oil to people, did we consider bombing people, thinking about what’s happening in Syria, things like that probably goes against most of our moral code,” Craven said.

Craven also said because the U.S. has had experience throughout the decades dealing with foreign policy they are now trying to create new avenues for the future by looking at foreign policy in the past to prevent major issues from occurring in the future by creating solutions for foreign policies.

“Pattern recognition should help guide policymakers in actions,” Craven said.

Craven spoke of China’s present growing population, its need for oil and if it pursued the Middle Eastern oil trade, there could be consequences for U.S. not pursuing oil opportunities.

“If the United States relents on that then they could become the dominant controller of that area and what could that mean for us,” Craven said.

He talked about how America is dependent on foreign suppliers and how foreign countries could control the market leaving the U.S. at the mercy of other nations or wars breaking out in the Middle East, making it difficult for trade for ships at sea, which could also have severe repercussions on the economy.

Craven said President Donald Trump’s solutions are based on stipulations and innovations with current policies in the U.S. The energy executive order of independence on March 28 caused for more oil regulations.

Talking about Trump ignited a fire and people were anxious to voice their opinion. One attendee was concerned it would take a substantial amount of time before the Trump administration would be able to get anything done pertaining to new regulations.

Craven said he thinks the innovations are going to happen much quicker than some people may believe.