Throughout history, competition for natural resources has been a significant catalyst for conflict among humans. Wars have often erupted over essential commodities such as water, land, oil, and minerals, with studies indicating that around 40% of internal conflicts are linked to resource exploitation. This dynamic is exacerbated by environmental degradation and climate change, which intensify resource scarcity and fuel tensions between communities. For instance, the illegal extraction and trade of resources like timber and minerals have financed numerous violent conflicts, including those in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Central African Republic. As global populations grow and environmental crises worsen, the potential for resource-related conflicts is likely to increase, making it crucial to address these underlying issues to foster peace and stability[6][7][9]. While tensions over differing customs, ideological views, and historical disputes can simmer and cause pockets of violence, full scale war invariably centers around teams forming to compete for resources. Sadly, this primitive instinct may one day spell the doom of our species.

While the competition for resources has historically been a driver of conflict, there are pathways to mitigate these risks and promote peace. Through diplomacy, international cooperation, education, and sustainable development, humanity can work towards a future where conflicts are resolved peacefully, and the instinct for competition is channeled into constructive collaboration.

That sounds nice, doesn’t it? ChatGPT has some great answers. As far as actual human behaviors, however…

It Comes Down to This:

Team Leader A: “Um, hey, do you want to share and avoid harm to both of our peoples?

Team Leader B: “Fuck no. I want all your shit. I don’t like your fucking hats. You can fucking die.”

Team Leader A: “Damn, okay. You are insane. Come and take it, bitch.”

Is diplomacy, international cooperation, education, and sustainable development doing to fix the above situation? I don’t see how. That’s where we are now. Here’s a summary of who is fighting over what.

A Summary of Major World Conflicts

Europe

Ukraine Conflict

Combatants: Ukraine vs. Russia

Support:

• Ukraine is supported by NATO members, including the United States and European Union countries.
• Russia is backed by Belarus and has received support from countries like Iran and North Korea.

Resources: The conflict in Ukraine is intricately linked to strategic access to energy resources, including oil and natural gas, food security, and the geopolitical aim of keeping NATO missiles out of the region. Control over Ukraine’s substantial oil and natural gas reserves, which account for a significant portion of its energy production, is a key factor in Russia’s military strategy. Ukraine is a major agricultural producer, and disruptions to its farming output have serious implications for global food security. Additionally, Russia’s military actions are driven by the desire to prevent NATO from deploying missile systems in Ukraine, which it views as a direct threat to its national security. This complex interplay of energy control, agricultural resources, and military strategy underscores the broader geopolitical stakes involved in the conflict, as NATO’s support for Ukraine, including advanced air defense systems, aims to bolster its defenses while deterring further Russian aggression.

Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict

Combatants: Armenia vs. Azerbaijan

Support:

• Armenia has historical ties with Russia and some support from Iran.
• Azerbaijan is supported by Turkey and has received military assistance from Israel.

Resources: The conflict centers around the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is rich in minerals and has strategic importance for oil and gas pipelines that connect the Caspian Sea to Europe.

Middle East

Gaza-Israel Conflict

Combatants: Israel vs. Hamas-led Palestinian groups

Support:

• Israel is supported by the United States, Canada, and various European nations.
• Hamas receives backing from Iran, Turkey, and various militant groups across the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Resources: The conflict is fueled by territorial disputes over land, water resources, and access to the Mediterranean Sea. Control over natural gas reserves off the coast of Gaza is also a significant factor.

Syrian Civil War

Combatants: Syrian government vs. various rebel groups (including ISIS and Kurdish forces)

Support:

• The Syrian government is backed by Russia and Iran.
• Rebel groups receive varying levels of support from the U.S., Turkey, and Gulf states.

Resources: The conflict involves control over oil fields, agricultural land, and water resources, as well as geopolitical influence in the region.

Yemen Conflict

Combatants: Houthi rebels vs. Yemeni government (supported by Saudi Arabia)

Support:

• The Houthis are backed by Iran.
• The Yemeni government is supported by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and includes the UAE.

Resources: The conflict is driven by control over oil resources, strategic shipping routes in the Red Sea, and humanitarian access to aid.

Africa

Tigray Conflict (Ethiopia)

Combatants: Ethiopian government vs. Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF)

Support:

• The Ethiopian government has received support from Eritrea.
• The TPLF has garnered some support from the diaspora and humanitarian organizations.

Resources: The conflict is influenced by access to fertile land, water resources, and potential mineral wealth in the Tigray region.

Central African Republic (CAR)

Combatants: Government vs. various armed groups (including anti-Balaka and ex-Séléka)

Support:

• The CAR government is supported by Russia and France.
• Armed groups often receive backing from regional powers and local militias.

Resources: The conflict involves control over diamonds, gold, and other natural resources, which are crucial for funding armed groups.

Asia

India-Pakistan Conflict

Combatants: India vs. Pakistan

Support:

• India has U.S. support, particularly in military and economic terms.
• Pakistan has historical ties with China and receives some support from Russia.

Resources: The conflict is primarily over the Kashmir region, which is rich in water resources and has strategic military significance.

Myanmar Conflict

Combatants: Myanmar military vs. various ethnic armed groups and the National Unity Government (NUG)

Support:

• The military has support from China and Russia.
• The NUG receives backing from international human rights organizations and some Western countries.

Resources: The conflict involves control over natural resources such as jade, timber, and natural gas, which are vital for the economy and funding military operations.

Summary of Key Players, Alignments, and Resources

• NATO and Allies: Support Ukraine against Russia, influenced by energy resources.
• Russia and Allies: Support for separatist movements in Ukraine and military backing for Syria and Armenia, driven by energy and mineral interests.
• Middle Eastern Powers:
  • Israel is backed by the U.S. with interests in gas reserves.
  • Hamas is supported by Iran and Turkey, with territorial disputes over land and water.
• African Regional Dynamics: External powers like France and Russia influence conflicts in CAR and Ethiopia, centered around resource control.
• Geopolitical Interests: Conflicts often revolve around access to vital resources, including energy, minerals, and strategic trade routes.

The Path Forward

While it’s natural for people to have conflicts and differing interests, it’s essential to remember that human behavior is not static. Change is possible through concerted efforts in education, communication, and policy-making. While some individuals may resist sharing or cooperation, many others are open to dialogue and collaboration. By focusing on shared goals and mutual benefits, humanity can work towards a more cooperative future, even in the face of deep-seated differences.

Read More

^{[1] https://github.com/lit/lit/issues/1195
[2] https://labrodev.substack.com/p/resolving-global-variable-conflicts
[3] https://fontawesome.com/v5/docs/web/other-topics/conflict-detection
[4] https://html.spec.whatwg.org
[5] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/77621668/global-store-state-conflicts
[6] https://education.cfr.org/learn/reading/resource-conflicts-explained
[7] https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/03/22/how-exploiting-the-earth-can-fuel-violent-conflict/
[8] https://www.reddit.com/r/Futurology/comments/18xh1vc/according_to_futurology_thinkers_is_war_inherent/
[9] https://www.iisd.org/publications/conflict-peacebuilding-role-natural-resources-and-environment
[10] https://www.fawco.org/global-issues/environment/environment-articles/4767-impact-of-war-on-our-natural-environment
[11] https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/blogs/natural-gas/041223-how-the-russia-ukraine-war-is-turning-natural-gas-into-the-new-oil
[12] https://kpmg.com/fr/fr/blogs/home/posts/2022/03/how-the-russia-ukraine-crisis-impacts-energy-industry.html
[13] https://www.iea.org/topics/russias-war-on-ukraine
[14] https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/04/28/ukraine-war-russia-resources-energy-oil-gas-commodities-agriculture/
[15] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-023-02526-9}