No Keystone Pipeline, More Saudi Oil

The New York Times reported on August 16 that American imports of Saudi Arabian oil increased dramatically in the past year. This is a concern due to rising tensions with Iran, Saudi Arabia's bellicose neighbor and the potential source of a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, the key export point for Persian Gulf petroleum. Irwin Stelzer notes at The Weekly Standard that the story fails to note the key point: Why is America forced to make up this petroleum shortfall?