There appears to be a situation involving a coup/revolution attempt in Chad today to overthrow Idriss Deby. Still many details up in the air, as one would expect in such a fluid situation. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7223760.stm
I don't know about that, but considering that the peacekeeping operation in Darfur will require the use of French military facilities in Chad, it makes the timing look suspect.
You have two power plays here: 1. East vs. West in Darfur. The reason I called East, because it is not just about China, but also India and Malaysia in the partnership of oil interests in Sudan. That interest is showing on the pipeline to Port of Sudan. The West interest represented by Total, Exxon, Chevron, Shell, and BP with the pipeline from Chad to Cameroon. 2. Darfur Rebel vs. Sudan Government. No matter West or East gets the deal about oil under Darfur, there are always about cuts between them. For West and Rebels perspective, a Kosovo is the best deal. Rebels got 100% of the revenues, and West has the pipeline fill up. For East and Sudan Government perspective, a subdued Rebels with the support cut off in Chad is the best deal. After cut off the support from West, Sudan government can sweeten a little bit on the deal to calm down the situation. But with EU forces come in Chad, it can give material and moral supports to Rebels to stage the fight. Then using the coming Beijing Olympics to give pressure to force Sudan's acceptance of only Chinese or Pakistani peace keepers and force its way in the energy cake cutting. Sudan, by supporting the rebels of Chad, tried to derail this development.
Is that about to get rid of oil economy? But it is not easy. For example, when US economy is in recession, Exxon just post the historic record breaking profits. That is not easy to give up. One way is to draw a map and let superpowers decide that which parts of oil they take without inciting rebellions, stage military coups, smearing camp through media and pork-face movie stars. Kind of have a OPEC's counterpart.
We need to get away from it. It simply screws up the world economy and gives far too much money to people I do not like.
Japan used to be 2nd largest oil importers, but somehow they didn't get as much hate US got from that part of world. Maybe some other issue involved too. At least US needs to shake down the energy usage. More that 25% of world energy are used here.
And more than 25% of the world GDP also. As for Japan, the issue is that we have taken it upon ourself to promise security for oil flows and lots of other things. So we get involved in places. That over reaching security guarrantee made sense during the Cold War, I say it makes no sense now. But no one listens to me.
Probably Israel is also an issue that make even non-political issues becoming political in that part of the world. My theory is that you have 3 parties in this dirty business--American consumers, Big Oils, and ************ Oil Government. American consumers don't want to pay high prices. Unlike Europeans. They want the cheap oils. So someone has to give. American Big Oils make record-breaking profits years after years. Not look like they are giving. ************ Oil Government probably are one who gives. But not by giving up their lavish life styles. Their people are one who really give. Maybe from some people who have to give, all three parties are guilty? How other countries address this issue? Europeans and Japanese pay higher prices than Americans. Their Big Oils don't make the kind of kills US Big Oils did on the profit. When Chavez was squeezing Big Oils for the money to fund his votes-buying programs, the poor people did benefit. But why European Big Oils can tolerate some of fat cutting, but US Big Oils can't? Maybe US Big Oils has more influence on US Government then Europeans? Or US Government is more likely bully the guys they don't like than Europeans today? I am sure way back, Brits and Frenches were as dupe high as Americans to "teach those bastards a hard lesson." Chinese are paying low price like Americans. But their Big Oils are state-owned, so making killing profit is not in the agenda as in US. China is also benefited by sweet deals that from countries who are being pushed around and need to find a big gun for protection. So unless we can resolve the issues in this kind of setup, things will not change at much. You can have gas instead of oil, but you will still have same of equations: Consumer wants a low price, Big Gas wants killing profit, US will go for kill to get both. Someone outside here will end up in a short end of stick and you go back what you see now.