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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