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The American |
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Write:
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The next world war has begun and it is unlike all previous wars. In the past, war meant the degradation and/or destruction of an opposing nation’s military capacity, often including economic resources and supporting infrastructure, to force capitulation. It is often not a one-sided event and involves loss by both sides, at least to the point where an adversary becomes exhausted and either abandons the conflict or surrenders. The new world war is far more economic than military. Every nation in the world is involved, though few are aware that it has begun. Others, though perhaps aware, realize they have no ability to affect the outcome and have resigned themselves to mitigate their inferior status to the maximum extent feasible. The war is about the control of energy resources, primarily oil & natural gas, that support national economies and affect the quality of life of every inhabitant. Nations with abundant energy reserves, such as the kingdoms of the Middle East, have a decided advantage, at least to the extent that those without such reserves adhere to international codes of conduct. In one of the most ironic moments in the history of the world, the strongest nations, in military terms, have placed their national interests at risk because they have adopted international norms that serve only to restrain themselves. It is as if the Lilliputian Giant had secured the straps that bound him to the ground. Similar to the kingdoms of and about Arabia are the weak but resource rich governments of Mexico, Venezuela, and Nigeria. Again, the only thing protecting these reserves is the self-restraint of the more powerful nations. These misgoverned military midgets have been given disproportionate influence solely because stronger countries, especially the United States, have chosen to define its national interest as ‘feeling good’ about its conduct rather than providing goods for its people. Russia is a nation with abundant energy reserves and also with a modicum of military capability that is sufficient to deter any would-be aggressor. The Russians are the first to seize the opportunity to leverage their enhanced position. They have accelerated the start of the new war by using their energy power to rein-in and subdue former satellites. They are also forcing Europe, ever so slowly, to succumb and fall within the Russian sphere of influence. The Europeans are financing Russia’s return to prominence like a drug addict captive to a supplier. Of course, the Europeans have perfected the art of whoring over the centuries and will undertake the transition in a most facile manner. China has the least in terms of natural energy resources but is advantaged by its national awareness of this limitation and its total commitment to an aggressive, worldwide strategy to secure access to every natural resource that it requires and may require in the future. The Chinese are simultaneously engaged in an accelerated military build-up so that they can secure and control these resources, if required, which expansion is being financed by the enormous trade imbalance with the United States. The communist-governed Chinese possess another advantage in this new war. They refuse to self-restrain in the manner of the self-neutered Americans. And do not lack the will to use the force at their disposal. They also benefit by the American-financed and provided system of secure passage for international shipments of resources, such as oil tankers. Perhaps the greatest irony, bordering on tragedy, is that the United States actually possesses energy reserves sufficient to remove any dependency on foreign and volatile governments, yet, in another act of Lilliputian dimension, has restricted itself from accessing these resources, because of fear of offending a deluded but powerful constituency that values the pristine natural environment, undisturbed in even the most limited manner, above national self-preservation. The American moment is thus passing. The diminution of the Pan-American empire will be replaced by Russia in Europe and the North Pacific. China will fill the vacuum in southeast Asia and the South Pacific. The Chinese will be neutral towards India & south Asia, but exert dominant influence in the Middle East and Africa. These latter two regions could pose a risk for rivalry and conflict with Russia. America will be an impotent bystander. This is a vision of the future that now seems likely, given the path America has chosen.
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