Situated in waters between Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Cyprus, the Levant Basin boasted an estimated 122 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, offering a path to energy independence for much of the region.

FORBES: Cyprus Extends East Med Gas Role with Egyptian Deal

The availability of an independent credit card may represent her best chance at establishing independence and a path out of a dangerous relationship.

FORBES: Even Affluent Women May No Longer Be Eligible for Credit Cards

Sometimes they perform their old function of smoothing the path from subjection to independence, as in Namibia and East Timor.

ECONOMIST: From Bosnia, East Timor, and other fragile places

What Bryce is mostly selling is American involvement in the world as the only true path to energy security as a counterweight to the impossible dream of energy independence and the nightmarish policies it has spawned.

FORBES: Reflections And Lessons On Energy Challenges

Because of his leadership, this country is further along on the path to energy independence.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Honors the Country's Top Innovators and Scientists of 2011 | The White House

One of the reasons I ran for President was to put America on the path to energy independence, and I have not wavered from that commitment.

WHITEHOUSE: Weekly Address: BP Oil Spill Independent Commission