Renewed Focus on European Energy Security

Russia's status as a regional power is commensurate only to their ability to blackmail and threaten Europe with Russian gas and oil as the weapon of choice. Europe imports about 30 percent of its gas and 35 percent of its oil from Russia. Political decisionmaking in Europe is dictated in part by the realities of running a continent on power supplied by one ornery, capricious, and unpredictable neighbor. The question is, how much longer will Europe put up with this reality and what can the United States do in the context of the transatlantic relationship to help Europe break free of Russian energy dependence? The European Commission's most recent energy security strategy reflects concerns that overdependence on Russia may expose governments and businesses to coercion, threats, and higher prices. The strategy proposes action over the medium to long term to increase Europe's own energy production, increase efficiency, decrease demand, pursue renewable energy alternatives, and diversify its supplier countries and routes.