# **Organization Card: OAPEC Petroleum Embargo**
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**Who / What**
The **OAPEC Petroleum Embargo** refers to the collective oil embargo imposed by the **Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC)** in response to U.S. and other Western support for Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
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**Background & History**
Founded in 1968, the **Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC)** was established by a group of Arab oil-producing nations—including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and others—to coordinate their energy policies. The embargo emerged as a direct consequence of Western military aid to Israel after Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack in October 1973, seeking to reclaim territories lost during the Six-Day War (1967). Led by Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal, OAPEC targeted countries that had supported Israel, including the U.S., Japan, Canada, the UK, Netherlands, and later expanded to Portugal, Rhodesia, and South Africa.
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**Why Notable**
The embargo triggered the **1973 Oil Crisis**, a global economic disruption that led to fuel shortages, skyrocketing prices, and widespread inflation. It reshaped geopolitics by exposing Western dependence on Middle Eastern oil, prompting energy diversification efforts in many nations. The crisis also accelerated the formation of alternative energy policies and spurred discussions about strategic alliances beyond traditional military ties.
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**In the News**
While the embargo itself ended in 1974 after diplomatic pressure, its legacy persists as a defining moment in modern geopolitics. Today, it serves as a cautionary tale about energy security, influencing global policies on sanctions, trade agreements, and climate change mitigation. The crisis remains a key reference point for discussions on oil dependency and the role of regional conflicts in international affairs.
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**Key Facts**
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