Energy Security, National Security, and Natural Gas

For the past four decades, discussions of energy security and the security implications of energy supplies have focused on oil. But, increasingly, this focus will appear to be too narrow. If current trends continue, the United States will face a similar set of problems with natural gas: growing demand, costly supplies, and governments who will use their control over gas reserves to enhance their geopolitical position in ways likely to complicate U.S. foreign policy. However, there are steps Washington and allied capitals can take--such as expanding domestic supplies, creating a global market in gas, and countering Russian efforts to create a dominant market position--which, if adopted, can significantly reduce the problems of energy security and national security associated with America’s growing dependence on natural gas.

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