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Article: Natural Resources and National Security
- Article from:
- Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence, andSecurity
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CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Natural Resources and National Security
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WILLIAM C. HANEBERG
The ability of a nation to grow and defend itself is controlled in large part by the availability of natural resources.
Nations that do not possess sufficient mineral, energy, agricultural, and water resources within their boundaries must obtain them on the international market, where prices can be volatile and supplies unreliable. In times of war, all or part of the international market may be inaccessible and critical resources unavailable for import.
Mineral and energy resources have become increasingly important since the advent of mechanized warfare. Even before that, however, other natural resources played ...