The reason that war is such a fascinating subject for writers is because it's a revealer. Put a bunch of people in an adrenaline-fuelled life-or-death situation and their fundamental behaviours are exposed the scrim is taken away and the motivations behind each personality come out to play.
Also it is interesting that developing countries with China and India perhaps in the lead where the future of the global environment will be decided are now on board with the case for sustainable development.