Editor’s Note: This week, Texas oil and gas executive T. Boone Pickens is providing the question and joining in the discussion.

Recent news reports highlight the national security threat posed by our escalating dependence on foreign oil. A lot of our oil comes from nations that aren’t friendly to us, and we live in a world where nations aren’t afraid of using energy as a weapon, or where we don’t have guaranteed supply. Russia cut off natural gas supplies to much of Europe last winter to force Ukraine to make concessions. And a recent AP piece leads: “A Kremlin policy paper says international relations will be shaped by battles over energy resources, which may trigger military conflicts on Russia’s borders.” China’s entered supply deals with Brazil, Venezuela, Russia and Iran, and it’s negotiating with Kuwait.

Is our continued — and growing — dependence on foreign oil an issue the Congress should address in its energy legislation? If so, how?

– T. Boone Pickens