3. 4. An Axis conquest of the Middle East would (a) Most effectively deny to the United Nations a base in that region for operations against Europe, and out the southern supply routes to Russia, (b) Deprive the United Nations of Middle Eastern sources of oil, lack of which would affect severely all activity in the entire Indian Ocean area and would in particular, compel virtual cessation of naval activity in that Ocean. It would also threaten directly the air-ferry route to lndia. The difficulty of holding India would be greatly increased, and the route to China would thereby be threatened.