This new book provides fresh and in-depth perspectives on so-called 'resource wars'.

Highlighting the multiple forms of violence accompanying the history of resources exploitation, business practices supporting predatory regimes, insurgent groups and terrorists, this is an authoritative guide to the struggle for control of the world's resources.

It includes key conceptual chapters and covers a wide range of case studies including:

* the geopolitics of oil control in the Middle East, Central Asia and Columbia,

* spaces of governance and 'petro-violence' in Nigeria

* 'blood diamonds' and other minerals associated with conflicts in Sierra Leone and the Congo.

This book was previously published as a special issue of the journal Geopolitics.

This book examines the 'resource curse' affecting many resource-dependent countries and the spaces of (mis)governance shaping the violent geopolitics of many natural resources.

Contents The Geopolitical Economy of 'Resource Wars' Natural Resources and Civil Strife: A two-stage process Resource Curse? Governmentality, Oil and Power in the Niger Delta, Nigeria Oil and the Political Economy of Conflict in Colombia and Beyond: A Linkages Approach From Free Oil to 'Freedom Oil' : Terrorism, War and Us Geopolitics in the Persian Gulf Great Game of Grubby Game? The Struggle for Control of the Caspian Resources and Conflict in the Caspian Sea Coerive Western Energy Security Strategies: 'Resource Wars' as a New Threat to Global Security The Geopolitics of Conflict and Diamonds in Sierra Leone Identity, Space and the Political Economy of Conflict in Central Africa Notes on contributors Index.