Answer:
Natural resources have played a significant role in shaping US foreign policy over the last 50 years. The United States is a major consumer of natural resources, and has relied on a combination of domestic production and foreign imports to meet its energy and resource needs. As a result, the availability and accessibility of natural resources has often been a key factor in the development of US foreign policy. For example, the United States has historically sought to secure access to oil and other energy resources from countries in the Middle East and other regions.
Over the last 20 years, the US foreign policy approach to natural resources has evolved in response to changing global economic and political conditions. In the early 21st century, the United States experienced a boom in domestic oil and natural gas production due to advances in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling technologies. This led to a shift in US foreign policy, with a greater focus on energy independence and self-sufficiency. However, more recently, concerns about climate change and the need to transition to clean energy sources have increasingly shaped US foreign policy, leading to a greater emphasis on renewable energy and energy efficiency.