energy policy as a survival issue

Saturday, 9:44 pm

By Kate

Aug

06

2005

If ever there was a reason to stop viewing a rational energy policy as liberal tree-hugging-itis, and begin viewing it as a political/survival issue, this might be it.

President Bush might not have turned up personally in Riyadh yesterday but he certainly sent a high-powered delegation to pay his respects to the new leader of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah.

The American turnout, led by Vice President Dick Cheney, former President George H. W. Bush, and former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, was the latest signal that relations between the two countries have thawed since the strains of 9/11. But it was also an acknowledgment of a simple fact: like it or not, the United States is more dependent than ever on Saudi Arabia.

Indeed, the alternatives to Saudi Arabia are fewer today than seemed to be the case just three years ago. Predictions of a boom in Iraqi oil have been proved wrong; Iran, OPEC’s second-largest oil producer, is locked on a collision course with the West; Venezuela is following an erratic path; and Russia’s commitment to market reforms and foreign investments seems increasingly unreliable.

All this has added to Saudi Arabia’s already impressive clout. What is more, other powers - mainly from Asia - seek greater access to its resources and have been increasingly courting the Saudis. “They can play the United States against other buyers, like China,” Mr. Seznec said. “And why wouldn’t they?"

Given the realities, we should be cutting our petroleum use sharply and depending on Saudi Arabia less. Conservation and alternative energy development take on a distinctly different hue when viewed under these circumstances. Heaven help us should the Middle East completely disintegrate into flames and someone sabotages the Saudi oil fields with an eye toward sinking us completely.

(link found at Informed Comment)