Resource Wars: The Hidden Fuel behind Most Conflicts

Mar 3, 2025 | Eman Fatima
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From ancient conquests of land, agricultural products, and trade routes to modern geopolitical struggles for natural gas, oil, and minerals, the control over resources has shaped global politics and foreign policy dimensions. It is desire for resources that triggers political interests. Control over the natural resources has been a significant determinant of war. Rentier-state theory argues that countries rich in natural resources tend to experience higher levels of conflict and economic instability. The contemporary consciousness is well aware of the role of natural resources in the Iraq-Iran war, the Iraq-Kuwait war and the Falkland Islands. Presently, there are territorial claims over areas that are thought to be mineral-rich, such as South China Sea, the East China Sea, the border between Sudan and South Sudan, the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, water and oil conflicts in the Middle East and many more.