I recently read a book by James Norman, a noted expert in the oil industry.  It was a fascinating book, which focused primarily on China and the looming threat.  My sense is James leaned to the right in his views, but they were well argued and I intended to agree with much of what he said.  Here are some key takeaways:

• the 21st century will be defined by economic warfare and not military warfare
• When you think of Energy policy it is a matter of national security
• China is very worried about the control the US has of key middle east oil resources
• China needs to make deals with rogue nations for oil – it is a security issue
• China imports most oil via freight (expensive) not pipelines (cheap)
• High Oil prices hurt China, as opposed to the cold ware where low oil prices hurt the Soviet Union
• China’s interest in alternative energy is a question of environmental concern and of national security

I highly recommend this book.