A different perspective might be that almost all resources connected to mining minerals for 21st century tech applications are located on the southern hemisphere. India just landed on the moon, Helium 3 will be crucial for fusion energy. Afghanistan has large deposits of minerals.. China has to find new inroads to new economic opportunities and is doing just that. There's a change coming and any adaptation of the existing structures will have to change with it. Military might isn't cutting it anymore, disruptive tactics in 3rd world countries is a becoming an old play if those involved have access to different infrastructures and allegiances are more opportunistic than coercion based.