Great book, author mentions how Japan, Germany, even Italy attempt to build their war machines and become Autarkic, self sufficient.

Funny thing is the USA is nearing this point, we now are energy, food, steel, and Technology Autarkic. We still rely on Asia for some of our technology and chip manufacturing. But most of that technology comes from Silicon Valley. Trump is shrinking the Military, we no longer need to fight for oil over there. Interesting.

Not even the Roman Empire was as self sufficient as we are. Rome needed Egypt’s grain.

Japan invaded Indonesia for oil, if Nazi Germany went Southeast towards the Middle East instead of east towards Moscow, they may have been more successful.