Geopolitical Conflicts Questions Medium
There are several main strategies that nations employ to gain control over natural resources. These strategies can vary depending on the specific resource and the geopolitical context. Here are some of the key strategies:
1. Military intervention: Nations may use military force to directly seize control of natural resources in other countries. This can involve invasion, occupation, or supporting proxy forces to secure control over resource-rich territories. Examples include the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1990 to gain control over its oil reserves, or Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 to secure access to its natural gas reserves.
2. Economic dominance: Nations may use economic power to gain control over natural resources. This can involve leveraging economic influence, such as through trade agreements, investment, or aid, to secure preferential access to resources. For instance, China has pursued a strategy of economic dominance in Africa, providing infrastructure development and investment in exchange for access to natural resources like oil and minerals.
3. Diplomatic negotiations: Nations may engage in diplomatic negotiations to secure control over natural resources. This can involve bilateral or multilateral agreements, treaties, or alliances that grant access or rights to exploit resources. For example, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides a framework for nations to negotiate and resolve disputes over maritime resources.
4. Resource nationalism: Nations may adopt policies of resource nationalism to gain control over natural resources within their own territories. This can involve nationalizing or increasing state control over resource extraction and production, often to ensure domestic control or to maximize economic benefits. Venezuela's nationalization of its oil industry in the early 2000s is an example of resource nationalism.
5. Exploration and extraction: Nations may invest in exploration and extraction technologies to gain control over untapped or underexplored natural resources. This can involve conducting surveys, drilling, or mining operations in their own territories or in international waters. Arctic countries, such as Russia, Canada, and Norway, have been increasing their exploration efforts to gain control over the region's untapped oil, gas, and mineral resources.
It is important to note that these strategies can often lead to geopolitical conflicts, as nations compete for control over scarce resources. Conflicts can arise due to overlapping territorial claims, disputes over resource ownership, or differing geopolitical interests.