Oil around the world

The Asian times is arguing that the recent US crackdown on Burma is due to oil:

"The Strait of Malacca, linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans, is the shortest sea route between the Persian Gulf and China. It is the key chokepoint in Asia. More than 80% of all China's oil imports are shipped by tankers passing the Malacca Strait.

"The region from Maynmar to Banda Aceh in Indonesia is fast becoming one of the world's most strategic chokepoints. Who controls those waters controls China's energy supplies.

Burma is also apparently swimming in natural gas, a major source of income for the junta and naturally an important resource for those who can get their hands on it.

Especially because The German-based Energy Watch Group has just released a report saying that we've already hit Peak Oil, production will fall from now on at about 7% a year and that other energy resources like gas, uranium and coal are also going to start falling.

But of course, what would a discussion about oil be without a new the newest member of the 'petro-dollar' club: Canada. The Dominion is running another special issue this year on Canada. Following up last years issue on Canadian foreign policy is this years focus on the Tar Sands which the Dominion notes will become the largest industrial project undertaken ever. Worldwide.

As part of their issue, the Dominion is pumpin' out articles, including this one, which is actually a speech excerpt by the less-than-honourable PM Steven Harper.