From the oilfields of Saudi Arabia to the Nile delta, from the shipping lanes of the South China Sea to the pipelines of Central Asia, Resource Wars looks at the growing impact of resource scarcity on the military policies of nations.

International security expert Michael T. Klare argues that in the early decades of the new millennium, wars will be fought not over ideology but over access to dwindling supplies of precious natural commodities. The political divisions of the Cold War, Klare asserts, have given way to a global scramble for oil, natural gas, minerals, and water. And as armies throughout the world define resource security as a primary objective, widespread instability is bound to follow, especially in those areas where competition for essential materials overlaps with long-standing territorial and religious disputes. In this clarifying view, the recent explosive conflict between the United States and Islamic extremism stands revealed as the predictable consequence of consumer nations seeking to protect the vital resources they depend on.

A much-needed assessment of a changed world, Resource Wars is a compelling look at warfare in an era of rampant globalization and intense economic competition.

Michael T. Klare is the director of the Five College Program in Peace and World Security Studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He is also the author of Low-Intensity Warfare, World Security, and Rogue States and Nuclear Outlaws. Klare lives in Northampton, Massachusetts.

From the oilfields of Saudi Arabia to the Nile delta, from the shipping lanes of the South China Sea to the pipelines of Central Asia, Resource Wars looks at the impact of intensified resource competition on the military policies of nations. Klare argues that in the early decades of the new millennium, wars will be fought not over ideology but natural commodities, as states battle to control dwindling precious supplies. The political divisions of the Cold War, Klare asserts, are giving way to a global scramble for essential materials, such as oil, timber, minerals, and water. And as armies throughout the world redefine resource security as their primary mission, widespread instability is bound to follow, especially in areas where mounting demand, due to population growth and industrialization, collides with long-standing territorial and religious disputes.

Drawing on a wealth of sources, including internal government documents and specialized industrial and military publications not available to the general reader, Klare provides the first analysis to make sense of the new convergence of seemingly disparate concerns--ecological, economic, and military. A much-needed assessment of a changed world, Resource Wars is a compelling look at the changing nature of warfare in an era of rampant globalization, heightened environmental stress, and intense economic competition.

Brilliantly researched, ably argued . . . Resource Wars shows a new geography of conflict based on looming scarcities. Klare's analysis is indisputable.--David Rieff, Los Angeles Times Book Review

Brilliantly researched, ably argued . . . Resource Wars shows a new geography of conflict based on looming scarcities. Klare's analysis is indisputable.--David Rieff, Los Angeles Times Book Review

As he has done on rogue states and on light weapons, Michael Klare has written a pathbreaking book, alerting us to the role of resources in conflicts in the post-Cold War world. While others have focused on the ethnic or ideological roots of wars in Central Asia, Africa, and Latin America, Klare argues that the real roots are often underground, though the consequences for those living above ground are appalling.--Robert A. Pastor, author of Whirlpool and Not Condemned to Repetition

Must reading for policy makers and analysts . . . Michael Klare demonstrates clearly and cogently that resource scarcity will be a growing source of conflict among nations.--Lawrence Korb, author of American National Security

Klare's is a rigorous and coolly executed work with sobering implications for the next several decades of life on earth . . . his scholarship cannot be faulted. --Mike Newirth, In These Times

Enlightening . . . Klare's work is of great value to anyone who hopes to understand the U.S. role in world affairs in the years ahead.--Noam Chomsky

The 'resource scarcity' doctrine seems destined to replace the 'rogue state' doctrine . . . Klare provides a valuable summary of the issues involved in each potential conflict.--Arthur Lowrie, The Tampa Tribune

Timely, superb . . . Should be required reading for those in the national security community.--Gary Anderson, Washington Times

This sobering look at the future of warfare predicts that conflicts will now be fought over diminishing supplies of our most precious natural resources. This is a look at the future of warfare in an era of heightened environmental stress and accelerated economic competition.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [233]-274) and index.

From the oilfields of Saudi Arabia to the Nile delta, from the shipping lanes of the South China Sea to the pipelines of Central Asia, Resource Wars looks at the growing impact of resource scarcity on the military policies of nations.

International security expert Michael T. Klare argues that in the early decades of the new millennium, wars will be fought not over ideology but over access to dwindling supplies of precious natural commodities. The political divisions of the Cold War, Klare asserts, have given way to a global scramble for oil, natural gas, minerals, and water. And as armies throughout the world define resource security as a primary objective, widespread instability is bound to follow, especially in those areas where competition for essential materials overlaps with long-standing territorial and religious disputes. In this clarifying view, the recent explosive conflict between the United States and Islamic extremism stands revealed as the predictable consequence of consumer nations seeking to protect the vital resources they depend on.

A much-needed assessment of a changed world, Resource Wars is a compelling look at warfare in an era of rampant globalization and intense economic competition.