Hotspots of potential conflict in the geo-energy era

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/01/201211414443903202.html

This article by Michael Klare, author of Blood and Oil, is exactly why I am interested in studying IPE.  Oil and energy are inputs to development and growth that are becoming far more scarce as time passes.  The international political arena is cluttered with conflicts over oil, natural gas, energy technology, and all means of transporting them.  This is a perfect example of how an economic demand necessitates political action.