The strategic reason for the oil reserve is for national defense in a time of attack or crisis. How would the military function without oil?
They wouldn't. Consider what is involved in operating all the machinery, vehicles, airplanes, helicopters, tanks, missiles, etc. An endless list.
We must keep and preserve our strategic oil reserve.
So, we empty our reserves while an “enemy” runs the price of oil up in plan of an attack or embargo.
Yeah, that’s a good plan...
I’m wondering what “swap” means in this context.