U.S. launching a diplomatic offensive to meet the growing threat to its energy security

The U.S. is launching a diplomatic offensive to meet the growing threat to its energy security from powerful and increasingly wealthy producers who are flexing their new geopolitical muscles. Faced with oil-related challenges on a number of fronts — from Venezuela to countries of the former Soviet Union — U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wedmesday that she will appoint a special envoy for energy issues to deal with countries that use their oil and gas for political means. Her action underscores the growing concern about security of energy supplies in the United States, and the shrinking pool of reserves available to multinational corporations as producing countries put their resources in the hands of national oil companies.