“Whoever controls oil can control the world” — Dr. Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State.

“The U.S. dollar may be America’s most important export or its unique weapon, one that only the U.S. can wield and no other country can replicate.”

This book is divided into two volumes. Drawing on the author’s nearly half-century of experience in international oil exploration and a unique global perspective, it presents a comprehensive and in-depth analysis supported by extensive research and thrilling personal experiences. Written from a first-person viewpoint, the book witnesses the constant shifts in global affairs, the strategic games and conflicts among nations, and delves into the intricate relationship between oil and geopolitics, regional wars, and the history of the U.S. dollar’s hegemony. The author hopes that readers will gain insights into the tactics of great powers in energy competition through historical facts and examples.

Most of the content in this book is based on historical records, with a small portion drawn from unofficial histories and rumors. Some episodes are personal experiences of the author or their colleagues. Through this book, readers will discover how major Western and Middle Eastern/Central Asian powers, as well as local forces, have long utilized politics, military power, and even religion and currency control to secure oil and gas resources, influence political landscapes, and manipulate the global economy, as well as the fortunes of nations and individuals.