One of the most important determinents of how the history of the world develops in the near to mid future is how the United States acts to secure
their own future energy resources
and at the same time acts to reassure and guarantee, in fact, that China will not be cut off from the levels
of energy imports that it requires.
Chinese and American energy interests overlap in the middle east. Is there enough energy there for both major interested parties? There is now but
there won't be in the future as demand, particularly in China, continues to accelerate.
This situation has to be managed carefully to avoid future serious conflicts. Israel as an issue, is miniscule by comparison, although still a
dangerous flashpoint. There should be some kind of agreement in place between China and the US to read the riot act to Iran and Israel respectively
and get these two countries to ramp down the war of words and the clandestine support of various groups of malcontents in the region.
The world is in a tough spot and we have to negotiate our way past the major energy issues to ensure a peaceful future. There is a good analysis of
China's energy situation and its connections to middle eastern governments, particularly Iran on the following web page.
www.iags.org...
China's expectation of growing future dependence on oil imports has brought it to acquire interests in exploration and production in places like
Kazakhstan, Russia, Venezuela, Sudan, West Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Canada. But despite its efforts to diversify its sources, China has become
increasingly dependent on Middle East oil. Today, 58% of China's oil imports come from the region. By 2015, the share of Middle East oil will stand
on 70%. Though historically China has had no long-standing strategic interests in the Middle East, its relationship with the region from where most of
its oil comes is becoming increasingly important.
[edit on 6-11-2009 by ipsedixit]
