At the same time, Russia has invaded Ukraine and is strategically cutting off energy supply to its client states in Western Europe. This includes members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). With our faltering diplomatic relationships, reliance on foreign oil now constitutes a much greater security dilemma.

Energy diplomacy has always been a staple of Russian and Saudi economic strategy. However the timing of the cuts from OPEC+ has led the U.S. to accuse Saudi Arabia of supporting Russian aggression.

A docked oil tanker. Courtesy of Tom Fisk, Pexels

Russia is a tertiary member of OPEC and a large oil exporter.  It is unlikely that other OPEC members would risk the ire of their Western clients to clandestinely support them.

OPEC is most likely ensuring they reach their financial obligations by lowering supply amid increasing demand. This would increase state revenues on petrol-based products as a buffer against the economic impact of Covid-19.

Petroleum-rich Russia just happens to benefit as well.

Whether lowering crude oil production rates and driving up costs was purposeful or the result of OPEC self-preservation is inconsequential. It still serves as a strategic challenge to the US and its allies in their defensive strategy for Ukraine.

The global community condemned Russia’s aggression via financial sanctions. This crippled Putin’s ability to scale Russian aggressive tactics. This allowed other countries to make a stance without having to risk the major losses of tactical intervention.

But by lowering production rates, OPEC effectively diminished the impact of those sanctions. In turn, pushing the financial burden back onto us through our complete economic reliance on foreign oil imports.

As of now the U.S. has lifted some sanctions on petroleum-rich Venezuela in order to balance out import levels with local demand rates.

This is only a temporary fix.

A burning tower at an oil refinery, courtesy of Nur Andiravsanjani Gusma, Pexels

Venezuela was one of the founding members of OPEC and while they may not have reserves at the scale of Saudi Arabia, they can still conspire to increase prices and decrease supply.

What happens when their oil prices become too burdensome? Will the US lift more sanctions? What happens when negotiations falter?

This situation can only get worse for our country’s economic and diplomatic outlook.

With our own oil reserves severely limited, it would be more practical in the long term to completely eliminate our reliance on fossil fuels.  The United States government should appropriate funds for renewable energy research and prioritize development of green energy technology.

Windmills on the water, courtesy of Pixabay, Pexels

The complete elimination of fossil fuels would require a thorough redesign of our national infrastructure, as well as advances in the solar, wind, and hydroelectric sectors at a far greater scale. If we want to ensure we are fully emancipated from foreign fuel, we need to invest in these as soon as possible.

The funds could also be used to establish diplomatic partnerships in developing nations to build green infrastructures abroad. By owning the patents on all the new technology, we would stand to gain the most from these new developments.

Not only would the research revolutionize the global economy, but it would also significantly lower demand for remaining fuel reserves. This would drive down costs to import fuel so we can update our own infrastructure sustainably over time. It would also diminish the reach of oil exporting countries.

It may take many years but compared to the increased security risk posed by OPEC, green energy infrastructure is a worthwhile investment in our future.

This article was written by the A.G. Sanning Team. To learn more about our take on current events or read about the team visit the Global Perspectives Blog.

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