CARLA SANDS: Peace Through Strength Requires American Energy

Whether it is Russia’s war against Ukraine, Iran and its terrorist proxies (Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthi rebels, and the IRGC), daily acts of terror against Israel or the latest act of aggression taken by China against Taiwan and its neighbors, one fact rings true: The last four years of the Biden-Harris administration have brought about an increase in global aggression that was unheard of throughout the entirety of the Trump administration.

While the current administration continues to blame former President Donald Trump for its failures in foreign policy, Americans know the truth. Through a policy of “peace through strength,” the Trump administration boldly advanced the foreign policy interests of the United States and our allies alike.

One of the most pivotal policies that Trump championed to achieve this goal was ensuring that America became energy independent. Before the Trump administration, the United States had for 70 years imported more oil than it exported. Although Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush and Barack Obama promised to make the United States energy secure, Donald Trump delivered.

As the hydraulic fracturing revolution ignited under Trump, the United States soared to new heights of economic prosperity and international freedom. America imported no net oil from Saudi Arabia and OPEC+ nations, and it removed its unhealthy reliance on Russian, Arab and Venezuelan oil and natural gas. By ensuring American energy independence, the Trump administration presented a new geopolitical environment in which America would no longer be held hostage to the political pressures or economic threats of our adversaries.

Through common-sense, right-sized regulatory reform, America was set on the path of not merely energy independence but energy dominance. Through this energy revolution, America found itself fully capable of counterbalancing against its adversaries while also having the strength and capacity to support its allies globally.

When Russia cut natural gas supplies to Europe following its war against Ukraine, it was the Trump administration’s permitting reform for new LNG facilities that paved the way for the United States to provide Europe with the natural gas it required.

Were the United States not able to support our allies, then the nations of free Europe would be beholden to the provocations of the Russian dictatorial regime. Therein lies the issue of the policy posturing of the United States under the current administration.

Energy dominance is not just about supplying our needs — it is about maintaining order across the globe. America’s energy renaissance allowed us to break the grip of authoritarian regimes like Russia and Iran, countries that have historically used energy as a weapon. Greater reliance on energy from foreign adversaries diminishes the free world’s capacity to deter conflicts effectively. History proves that to be true with both Russia and Iran.

First, the Biden-Harris administration canceled the Keystone XL pipeline. The following year, the United States withdrew its support from the Israeli-backed East-Med pipeline. In the meantime, the administration waived sanctions on the Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline and declined to enforce sanctions on Iran’s oil industry.

Within the next year, Russia invaded Ukraine. By October 2023, Iran had been producing the most oil since the 2018 Trump sanctions and the country was increasing its oil production at a faster rate than the United States. All the while, Iran was using its billions of dollars in additional profits to arm its terrorist proxies, with the intent of massacring thousands of Israelis, as the world witnessed in utter horror on October 7, 2023.

This is why energy security is so important to international stability, national security and the sovereignty of America and our allies. The more oil and gas America produces, the less power our adversaries hold over the free world. A secure, energy-rich America is a stabilizing force in an increasingly chaotic world.

However, the United States should not merely be expected to foot the bill and pave the way to energy dominance on its own. Our allies must support common-sense policies that promote and enhance global energy security. To do that, our allies must be held to a higher standard than the current trajectory.

Take Trump’s approach to NATO’s burden-sharing commitments, or lack thereof, on defense spending. NATO nations, under the 2014 Wales Summit Declaration, are obligated to spend 2% of their GDP on their defense budget. Before the Trump administration, only five of NATO’s 31 members (including the United States) met this obligation. By 2020, the number of NATO members meeting this obligation had increased to 10. In 2024, 23 members of NATO are expected to meet this obligation.

This is not about isolation or closing ourselves off. “America First” in energy means ensuring America leads the world from a position of strength, not dependence. With reliable American energy driving global markets, we foster international stability. We can engage with the world on our terms — choosing cooperation, not coercion. Strong leadership means telling our allies: We will help you, but you must pull your weight. Energy abundance gives us that leverage, encouraging others to meet their commitments without compromising our own security.

To protect the peace and security of the world, America must lead through energy dominance. The world will be safer when America is energy dominant — and stronger when our allies do their part.

Carla Sands is a former U.S. ambassador to Denmark. She currently serves as vice chair of the Center for Energy & Environment at the America First Policy Institute.

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.