The Last Word on Iraq
2013-06-05 - by
Just after we invaded Iraq ten years ago, having lunch with a businessman, I said, Well, they say we have to do it to stop terrorism but I wonder if it’s not about oil too.
He laid down his fork. Looked up. Don’t kid yourself. It’s all about oil.
Well, I thought, getting our hands on Iraq’s oil might not be a bad idea.
Since we’ve gotten rid of (literally, hung) a thug dictator. Ended up with an ungrateful ally. Left Iraq with a shady government. And gas prices have soared.
Then, yesterday, I read this headline in the New York Times: “China Is Reaping Biggest Benefits of Iraq Oil Boom.” Half the oil from Iraq is going to…China.
“We lost out,” a former Bush Defense Department official told the Times. “The Chinese had nothing to do with the war, but from an economic standpoint they’re benefitting from it, and our Fifth Fleet and air forces are helping to assure their supply.”
And that’s the last word on Iraq.
The Last Word on Iraq
2013-06-05/
Just after we invaded Iraq ten years ago, having lunch with a businessman, I said, Well, they say we have to do it to stop terrorism but I wonder if it’s not about oil too.
He laid down his fork. Looked up. Don’t kid yourself. It’s all about oil.
Well, I thought, getting our hands on Iraq’s oil might not be a bad idea.
Since we’ve gotten rid of (literally, hung) a thug dictator. Ended up with an ungrateful ally. Left Iraq with a shady government. And gas prices have soared.
Then, yesterday, I read this headline in the New York Times: “China Is Reaping Biggest Benefits of Iraq Oil Boom.” Half the oil from Iraq is going to…China.
“We lost out,” a former Bush Defense Department official told the Times. “The Chinese had nothing to do with the war, but from an economic standpoint they’re benefitting from it, and our Fifth Fleet and air forces are helping to assure their supply.”
And that’s the last word on Iraq.