The most important trait that distinguishes Navy SEALs from all other military forces is that SEALs are Maritime Special Forces, as they strike from and return to the sea.

CNN: Commentary: Where heroes come from

That implies spending a lot more money on long-endurance air power and sea power, such as the new Air Force bomber and Navy unmanned strike aircraft that Gates endorsed in January.

FORBES: Mideast Unrest, China Spark Swift U-Turn In Outlook For U.S. Defense Industry

But a strike by oil workers in Norway and heavy maintenance at North Sea fields has exacerbated the shortage this year and sent the price of Brent for immediate delivery much higher.

WSJ: Brent Benchmark Is Skewed by Crude Measure

Monument Oil and Gas was among the first western firms to strike a deal in Turkmenistan, one of the energy-rich countries surrounding the Caspian Sea.

ECONOMIST: Small oil firms