New War for Oil

The ongoing demand for oil is set to reach new heights over the the following years with much more serious and disastrous consequences. This is because of the fight over the Arctic which is said to be rich in oil and gas reserves. An estimated 30% of the world’s gas reserves are thought to lie within the Arctic circle.

Russia has taken a very negative step over the disputes recently, hinting that it would consider the use of her armed forces to protect it’s interests in the region.

Russia claims that, with the onset of global warming reducing the ice coverage of the Arctic, development of the region by 2020 is a vital objective.

The argument has continued since 2007 when a small Russian submarine planted a titanium flag at the North pole which Russia claims as it’s own due to it being connected directly to it’s mainland land mass. The claim for the Lomonosov ridge is heavily disputed as it’s where the majority of the resources are thought to be located.

The build up of forces is not a one-sided affair. The creation of the American missile defence shield in eastern Europe has severely damaged US-Russia relations. Russia may continue to find itself isolated but it is still a hugely powerful entity in itself with control over European gas supplies.

Further disputes continue on other parts of the world such as in the Caspian sea and the Barents sea.

So, war may not be inevitable but it looks as if high levels of confrontation are on the cards. A new cold war sets to take it’s grip in the not too distant future as the world’s demand for oil and gas increase and supplies run out.