The Art of Ore

<p>A powerful theme undergirding US national security strategy is guaranteeing assured access to resources. Shortly after 9/11 increasing Chinese acquisition of minerals and mineral fuels in Africa and worldwide highlighted possible future competition over scarce resources. Many analysts decried Chinese actions for the Chinese offered aid in exchange for resources without any of the West's restrictions that required demonstration of democracy good governance and increased transparency. Why is China acquiring strategic minerals and mineral fuels from African states? Does China have any objectives beyond resource acquisition? Is Africa a future flashpoint for colliding strategic interests or an opportunity for Sino-American cooperation? The purpose of this research is to assess China's grand strategy in light of its acquisition of mineral and petroleum resources in Africa. It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the recent development of strategic competition between the United States and China. It does this in three stages: first it assesses China's expansion in comprehensive national power using a geopolitical holistic framework; second it considers how China's domestic and international environment national interests objectives statecraft and instruments of power collectively shape development of China's foreign affairs strategy; third it combines these previous two elements and sets them within the context of China's expanded engagement in Africa. This latter stage demonstrates that China's strategy in Africa is manifold involving acquisition of mineral and petroleum resources and just as importantly establishing markets solidifying relationships and expanding influence. The conclusion considers the resulting implications for the United States from this Sino-African engagement.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>