7.7A - Tensions over Physical Resources
Tensions can arise over the acquisition of physical resources (Arctic oil and gas) where ownership is disputed and disagreement exists over exploitation. (A: attitudes and actions in relation to resources)
Superpowers and emerging powers need physical resources, especially fossil fuels, minerals and ores. Some have these domestically but in many cases they must be obtained through international trade. This can mean:
- buying resources at high prices, e.g. in 2008 crude oil was priced at $140 per barrel
- trading with unfriendly regimes, or ones that are politically unstable (e.g. Iranian and Iraqi oil)
- during conflict, trade routes, and therefore supply, is blocked
These factors increase the advantage of claiming new territory and its resources. In some cases, tensions can arise as countries attempt to acquire natural resources, but their ownership is disputed. This can be done in several ways:
- invasion and conquest of another country's territory, which is rare
- claiming offshore, undersea resources by extending a country's EEZ, which is more common
- the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), extends 20 nautical miles offshore from a country's coast, and includes all resources in and under the sea. In some circumstances its size can be extended.
Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014
- Russian invaded and took Crimea (part of Ukraine) by force in 2014
- A key reason for doing this was to gain total control of the Russian naval base at Sevastopol in Crimea - home to Russia's Black Sea Fleet
- The base was leased to Russia in 1997, but not owned by Russia
- Russia feared that if Ukraine joined the EU and/or NATO this strategic base could be lost
- Fearing the loss of land and a port, both physical resources, Russia acted
Arctic oil and gas resources
- Huge oil and gas reserves may exist under the Arctic Ocean
- This area is beyond the EEZ of Canada, the USA, Russia and Denmark
- All of these countries have claimed EEZ extensions, which are disputed by others, and lodged these with the UN (which ultimately rules on them)
- Since 2007, military patrols and activity have increased in the Arctic, as each country shows how interested it is in the area, and willing to defend its claims.
Any attempt to drill for oil and gas in the Arctic could become a source of diplomatic if not actual conflict. In addition, the risks of environmental disaster from oil spills is high in one of the few remaining pristine ecosystems on the planet also with a large indigenous population (Inuit)
Currently, no natural resources are exploited in Antarctica, and few in the Arctic, but in the future this may change if some countries believe they should be exploited. The attitudes of countries may change if resources are depleted elsewhere, leaving only these protected places as sources of minerals and fossil fuels.