The issue of energy costs

Three nations -

 Russia, Venezuela, and Iran -

have a considerable part of the world's supply of fossil fuels.

OTOH, the political systems in those three nations 

either are now, or in the case of Venezuela were in the past, 

considered with disdain and hostility by some powerful forces in the West.

The result has been a sizable reduction in the availability of fossil fuels to the West, 

and the consequent need to pay higher prices for the now reduced supply of energy.

Some want to ignore or hide this cause-and-effect relation.

They argue:

"Putin is bad - we must oppose him.

Likewise for the past rulers of Venezuela and Iran."

But I think we need to acknowledge the very real economic costs of trying to impose the values and concerns of the Western elite on the whole world.

George Washington, for example, didn't advocate for that.

I personally have little doubt about who is in control.

Just look at how Trump has abandoned the interests of the MAGA base that voted him into office, to serve the interest of Israel.

Or the persistence and, to a considerable extent, source of Russophobia.

I personally do not go along with the atavistic, Russophobic,  animosities of a certain segment of the Western elite.

Do we really need to be in conflict with Russia and Iran?

Also, 

do we really want perpetual wars for the benefit of Israel?

Will "victory" in Iran really end hostility to the Zionist state?

I think not.

People opposed to the Zionist state will just move on to other tactics and targets.

The question, if I might pose it, is:

Is Israel a solution or a never-ending problem?

Endless wars for the benefit of Israel?

That is what we face.

Promoted by people who won't acknowledge the differences between 

anti-Americanism, anti-Zionism, and antisemitism.