America and Energy Domination Plan – A New Way of Regime Change?
America and Energy Domination Plan – A New Way of Regime Change?

Summary/Abstract: In December of 2017 the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump announced a fundamental change in the U.S. energy policy. Capitalizing on the rapid changes in oil and gas extraction technologies called the shale revolution, the U.S. will attempt to dominate the world market of hydrocarbons. The plan calls for regulatory changes, building new infrastructure and creating trade agreements that will allow the U.S. to export oil and gas abroad on a much bigger scale than previously.This article examines the possible impact of this decision on the geopolitics of oil-exporting countries, with a particular focus on Russia and Saudi Arabia. Both of those countries have economies heavily dependent on oil and gas exports. Without them, their budgets may have difficulty in financing state operations and economies – staying afloat. At the same time, they both present the type of foreign policy that is fi nanced from the sale of hydrocarbons. Without those profi ts, it may be challenging for them to continue this approach. In the case of Russia, it may result in problems with maintaining its aggressive stance towards the U.S. In the case of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh may not be able to guarantee the balance of powers in the region vis-a-vis hostile Iran, growing Turkey, assertive Israel and active jihadist rebels of various kind in neighbouring countries.Paper concludes that a combination of the U.S. energy dominance plan together with radical shifts in the automobile industry – which is transitioning from gasoline engines to electrical ones – will significantly decrease the ability of Russia, Saudi Arabia and others using similar policy combinations to transform their oil and gas revenues into international influence. The United States will be in a unique position to use tools of selective pressure on their economies to alter their behaviour. Both Moscow and Riyadh without the hydrocarbon profits will lose their ability to: maintain support for the regime, pacify dissent as well as projecting power outside. As a result, Washington’s position in the world will increase, despite the growing role of China and despite the world that is becoming more assertive towards the U.S. power.

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