美国如何赶走法国，霸占沙特石油？现代石油巨头，都是如何起家？

Core Viewpoint - The article argues that the true motivation behind U.S. military actions is oil, which plays a crucial role in shaping global order and political dynamics, rather than merely the defense of the dollar [1]. Group 1: Historical Context - The U.S. oil companies initially lacked sufficient funds to develop Saudi oil resources, leading them to form alliances with financially stronger companies [3]. - The expectation of rising global energy demand drove U.S. companies to seek more oil resources, prompting the formation of alliances to control Middle Eastern oil production [4]. - The construction of a significant oil pipeline across the Arabian Peninsula was a major initiative to secure U.S. interests in the region, despite being primarily managed by private companies [4]. Group 2: Strategic Alliances and Negotiations - The alliance of four U.S. companies controlling Saudi oil faced potential challenges from U.S. antitrust laws, but the government showed little concern as long as the companies were American [6]. - The "Red Line Agreement" restricted certain U.S. companies from investing in Saudi Arabia without the consent of other stakeholders in the Iraq Petroleum Company [6][8]. - U.S. companies successfully negotiated with British and Dutch stakeholders to gain control over Saudi oil, leveraging long-term contracts and wartime asset seizures as bargaining chips [8][10]. Group 3: Major Transactions and Market Impact - In December 1948, a significant transaction occurred where California Standard Oil and Texaco sold 40% of their shares in Aramco for nearly $500 million, marking a pivotal moment in the global oil market [10]. - This transaction established the dominance of U.S. oil giants in Saudi Arabia, leading to further mergers and the eventual formation of ExxonMobil, which continues to hold a leading position in the global oil industry [10].