In official statements, the United States claims to be a neutral
observer in disputes over islands in the South and East China
Seas. In fact, major U.S. energy firms have already partnered
with Malaysian, Vietnamese, and Philippine state-owned oil
companies to develop promising reserves in maritime territories
claimed by those countries as well as China -- and the United
States appears intent on protecting those projects and other
interests in the region with military might. Until recently,
Asian countries' competing claims in the seas around China did
not cause outright conflict. But now that drilling technology
can tap gas and oil beds there, Asia capitals are stepping up
their games. As last year's global shortage of petroleum and
natural gas showed, the world can no longer keep up with the
demands of continued population growth and economic expansion.
Indeed, the competition for natural resources is intensifying.
And with four-fifths of the world's oil reserves lying in
politically unstable areas, with di