Foreign Affairs | Benjamin H. Bradlow
The war in Iran, particularly the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has plunged many nations into an energy crisis, illustrating the profound political pitfalls of fossil fuel dependence. With roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas choked off, countries like the Philippines declared national energy emergencies, while others, including Zambia and Slovenia, implemented drastic measures. This chaos reveals that energy independence is synonymous with political independence, as dependent states are paralyzed in their response to the conflict, unable to openly criticize Tehran or Washington. This realization is accelerating a global pivot towards domestic energy capacity, predominantly renewable sources. China, having heavily invested in clean energy supply chains, emerges as a significant geopolitical winner, exporting its technologies worldwide. Conversely, the United States, having scaled back clean tech investment for fossil fuels, appears to be the ultimate loser in this new geopolitical divide, as showcased by nations like India, compelled to align with the US for energy access, contrasting with Pakistan's increased autonomy due to renewable energy growth.
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