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Date: | Tue, 1 Aug 2006 18:29:16 EDT |
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The Players
March 2006
The embryonic stages of a violent scramble for resources are already under
way. Here is a list of the cast of characters in this unfolding drama:
The United States
Presently the world’s biggest consumer of resources, its debt-bloated
economy is operating at unsustainable levels. Its global role has reached its
zenith, and it is about to recede dramatically both in terms of power projection
and commodity consumption.
Iran
OPEC’s second-largest oil producer is its most ambitious member. Its energy
assets give it inordinate clout in global politics—but even with nuclear
weapons and a short-term, brilliant flash of regional supremacy, it will be
overtaken by greater powers intent on eliminating its threat while securing its
resources.
Latin America
Though this region is near the U.S. and historically friendly, it has been
courted over a period of decades by Europe, which seeks to undermine that
relationship and secure its riches for its own use. A recent scramble by China
to preempt the Continent in this respect promises to spark contention.
Africa
Since shaking off its history of colonialism, this continent has been
plagued by corruption and instability. Great powers are eyeing its untapped riches
hungrily and moving in to stake their claim in what looks suspiciously like
the emergence of a new colonial era.
Germany
Like much of Europe, it is almost wholly dependent upon outside sources of
energy, but is positioning itself as the gatekeeper through which the rest of
the Continent must receive its energy. As Germany wakes up to the dangers in
its overdependence on Russian resources, watch for it to move decisively to
lock down alternate supplies.
China
The world’s most populous nation is industrializing at a lightning pace. To
fuel this advancement, it is undertaking a massive global resources grab that
is unsettling other nations and intensifying the competition for assets
worldwide.
Russia
This once and future empire sits on a wealth of commodities that guarantees
it won’t remain a second-rate power much longer. Its current top customer is
Europe—but in the impending conflict, as this relationship reverts to
historical form and turns ugly, Russia will cement ties with a powerful new ally
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