Posted on 01/01/2011 12:23:02 PM PST by dagogo redux
I'm not sure of copyright requirements with this site, so please link to site:
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/12/28/next_years_wars?page=full
(Excerpt) Read more at foreignpolicy.com ...
1. Geographic importance and natural resources are in no way predictive of war in these countries. Some are described as suffering from "The Curse of Resources" while others have nothing to offer in trade with the outside world. Some are in isloated geographic backwaters, while others are in strategic locations. Indeed, few of the current and brewing wars described here are between neighboring countries at all - almost all are civil wars, multi-tribe feuds, or unchecked criminal mayhem.
2. Racial, cultural and religeous factors loom large on the list of unifying factors. There are no counties listed of predominantly Caucasian or Oriental race; few with sustained histories of solid and relatively uncorrupt democracies or republics; no countries where the conflicts primarily involve aggressive tendencies from any religious group except Islam.
As I tally the factors involved in these 16 hot spots: the population in eight are African or of African roots; seven are Moslem; six have a current or recent history of dictators; four are influenced at least partly by drug cartels; only two conflicts even partly involve Communist aspirations.
Interesting that in the comments section of this article several discuss the possibility of an American civil war.
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Fascinating feedback on the article. Probably beneath the radar of the average hungover football fan today.
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