Oil is fungible. The US can become energy independent, but oil will remain vital to the global economy regardless. The ME, the greatest exporter of oil, will remain an extremely important region of the world for our strategic national interests.
I am all in favor of energy independence, which help our economy and balance of payments. It will also enhance national security. But it will not lessen our involvement in the ME.
Maybe so, but if we have all this oil, why can't we put a tariff on imported petroleum and get rid of the income tax?
We need to return to the days of cheap abundant energy for the American people.