Foreseeable Future. Throughout History, International

¶ … foreseeable future. Throughout history, international conflicts have raged over two basic items - religion and natural resources. That is true as far back as time has been recorded, and there is no reason to think that will change in the future - especially with our increased dependence on foreign resources to support our energy heavy lifestyle.

When we think of international conflict over resources, the 1991 Gulf War and the current war in Iraq immediately come to mind. The truth is, these wars, no matter what the official "reason" given by Washington and the government, have one thing in common. The Middle East is the home of the world's greatest oil supply, and these wars involve oil and its distribution on at least some level. This is just the tip of the iceberg for the oil wars. As a 2001 article notes, "There are more Americans than ever, and they are using more power, although energy resources remain limited" (Baker, and Anderson 32). Today, those words seem even more prophetic, as oil has soared to record prices, and so has gasoline. Clearly, the world is more dependent on fossil and non-renewable resources than ever before, and there are fewer of them to go around, so costs rise, and will continue to rise.

Another endangered resource is water, and that has been a bone of contention throughout the world, as well. Three writers note, "At the international level, water has likewise led to hostilities between Arabs and Israelis, Indians and Bangladeshis, Americans and Mexicans, and among all ten Nile basin co-riparian nations" (Giordano, Giordano, and Wolf). Water, clearly, will continue to be an issue around the world, as more people use more water and climate change alters weather and rain patterns. This will lead to more altercations over water and water related issues, and will force nations to conserve water, curb growth, and attempt to take water from neighbors, by treaty or by force.

Many experts have studies conflicts throughout the world, and they predict the squabbles and fighting over resources will continue. One journalist sums up their conclusions, "Other threats to peace that are likely to cause future international conflict are competition over dwindling resources, particularly fossil fuels; the widening gap between rich and poor people and nations; and the worldwide arms race, especially the proliferation of nuclear and biological weapons" ("Missing the Target" A12). Studies at some of the largest universities in the country and the world confirm this, and most experts speculate the conflicts will grow more pronounced as the world grows larger and resources continue to dwindle. The solution is clearly learning how to manage these resources more effectively, while curbing worldwide energy usage and growth. Of course, this will not be easy, and it will not be popular in many countries. However, if the world is going to continue "as we know it," something needs to be done, and very soon - not only to end the conflicts but to ensure world energy supplies will outlast this generation and the next, which is doubtful at this point.