Answer:
The dependence comes from the fact that the highest consumers of oil are not the highest producers.
Explanation:
The Middle East, as a region, has been blessed with reserves of oil. This is the natural resource for which there is the highest demand on the global market, so having it means that it brings a lot of benefits. The most obvious benefit is a lot of profit, but there is also the political influence because of the dependence of other countries on the resource.
The huge amount of profit complemented with having all major economies in the world (except two) highly dependent on oil from the Middle Eastern countries has led to a lot of looking through fingers situations. Almost all of the countries in this region tend to be among the worst when it comes to the violation of human rights, suppression, dictatorship, but all other countries turn their heads and there is no reaction because of how dependent they are on their oil. Also, the leaders of these countries are spreading out their influence in other countries by buying a lot of businesses, buying actions, sports clubs, or even finance political parties in order to make a stronghold, and so far they do it to great effect.
