Petro-hysteria grips a superpower

High oil prices, political instability in oil-producing states, the rise of energy-hungry China, jihadist terrorism and the return of “resource nationalism” are factors constantly cited in Washington these days as evidence that national security is being undermined by unrestrained consumption of oil. Petroleum, once seen as the energy source that fueled the “American century”, has more recently been interpreted by some legislators, policymakers and pundits as the Achilles’ heel of global dominance.

Daily op-ed pieces, many in fact written by neo-conservatives, state that US dependence on imported oil strengthens assertive petro-states that work against America’s interests, bankrolls jihadist terrorism, and allows producers to leverage their market power now that prices are high. Others warn of Chinese energy “mercantilism” sowing the seeds of conflict between the United States and China.
Asia Times