You may have seen the headlines about riots in Lebanon in recent days. They can be easy to gloss over. We’re used to riots in the Middle East.

These riots, however are not about Hezbollah or Israel – they’re about electricity. Five people died protesting that their power was cut off.

Surely, if Lebanon was not adjacent to Syria and Israel, it’s likely there would be fewer electrical issues not would people’s nerves be so easily frayed. The dark of night is a much scarier thing if people with guns lurk in it.

The news item reminded me that in Pakistan, people are rioting over the lack of electricity and flour. Again, Pakistan is a nation in turmoil with many problems above and beyond electric power and flour.

Still, I think these things are worth noting. As little as 90 years ago, the great powers of Europe fought for the foolish whims of monarchs, 65 years ago, we fought over political philosophy. In the last 20 years we’ve fought over oil. Now we’re fighting over electricity and flour.

How long before we get to water?