From Asia Times (link):
Two regions have emerged as the most likely sources of great-power conflict in the 21st century. The first is the Middle East, which is the focal point for the US-led “war on terror”. The region is important both as part of a global ideological struggle against Islamist extremism and in the quest for oil and gas resources. The second is Asia, as the rise of China presents competition for both intangible and material resources on the world stage.
On the ideological front, China’s model of protecting one-party rule by improving the economic livelihood of the people and emphasizing the principles of sovereignty, non-interference and territorial integrity while calling for a multipolar international system challenges the US-led international order, which favors democracy, human rights and humanitarian intervention.
China’s rapid growth, development and modernization is also proceeding in tandem with China’s growing resource needs, which are placing pressure on raw material prices and fueling a global competition for certain resources, notably energy resources given China’s position as the second-largest oil consumer after the United States.
