what am i gaining from the war in the middle east?

Question

after the first war in iraq{which i paticapated in}we helped rebuild the oil rigs.now in this war we are sending billions of dollars and our military over there.i was wondering what if anything you have gained from this new conflict.
i.e. why are the gas prices so damn high

Answer 1

Well, how about

1. Increase gas price.....yippee
2. Illusion of safety from terrorist threat (the sad truth is US is making more enemies than friends in this war. And i don't mean the Arabs, but practically the whole world)
3. Higher Tax....well somebody gotta pay the war Bil.
4. Freedom.....? Not really (Freedom is a catch phrase used by that lying Bush, to suckered all the American into going into war) What constitute freedom in your country doesn't necessary meant the same thing in other people's country. Forcing another country to follow your ideal is just arrogant. eg : How would you feel if I force you to convert to my religion since my religion is better and your religion is a false religion.
5. Extra "fruit salad" and medals for the soldier. Dunno wat it means? Ask the veteran

Answer 2

We gain several things, but I'll stick to the oil topic since you mention it directly.

Back in the 70s the energy crisis was caused because OPEC (middle eastern oil countries) stopped or severly reduced shipping oil to the US. 2 of the reasons were religious and the fact we supported Israel. Fast forward to the the First Gulf war. Iraq had captured Kuwait and was amassing its armies on the Saudi border. It is commonly understood they were next and would have been little match for the Iraqis. Now, if Iraq had taken Saudi Arabia, Hussein would have controlled well over one third of the worlds oil reserves. ONE THIRD!!!!

We would have been in a worse situation than in the 70s and at the mercy of these extremists who hate everything we stand for.

After the first Gulf War, in 1999, Iraq cut off it's oil exports. OPEC in general lowered it's oil output driving up prices. Add in the huge growth in Asia, demand skyrocketed and prices went higher. It wasn't until Saudi Arabia agreed to up their oil production, against OPECs wishes, did we get a little break.

Why are we there now? Besides terrorism, we desperately need the oil to continue to flow from the Middle East. And setting up a friendly Iraq, to go along with 'friendly' Saudi Arabia, gives us a lot more breathing room until we can come up with better energy alternatives.

Why are prices high? There is always more and more demand for oil as the world develops. We don't always ship refined oil to the US. And refining costs are up since many were damaged in Katrina. And they are having to do more to the oil to meet more stringent environmental standards. And there is taxes, which get passed along to us. In April it was approx 55 cents a gallon. Other countries also don't like us and charge us sometimes triple the cost, like Argentina. Supply from previous locations are falling and, despite everyones condemnation of Pres Bush's envirinmental policy, there have not been enough new supplies opened up.
It is just a bunch of things, which individually would not be a problem, have all occured at the same time. And President Bush did start up a commission to investigate if oil companies are price gouging us anyway.

Also, fyi, add in inflation and such, gas is not (yet) as expensive as it was in the late 70s early 80s.

So yeah, it gives us some time to figure out how we are going to be less oil dependant. And yes, not having oil is a huge problem for our country and its free flow from the middle east needs to be secured. A country does not have to be militarily superior to us to be a threat if they can control the cost and supply of oil.

Answer 3

you've it nailed! So what's it that you pick to take heed to from everyone else? No, i'm afraid we are not likely to quit wars, we received't quit them in different international locations & if we are attacked, we both wrestle or enable ourselves be taken over through others. We particular as heck do not pick that, can we? Like we did not have a decision contained in the second one W.W., did we? So, we fought! i don't believe of that we had a reason to bypass to both Afghanistan or Iraq, yet we are there, we've now angered Turkey, so how lengthy previously we would ought to face them? Iran is yet another worry spot for us, China owns a lot of united states of america of america, how lengthy will they enable our debt carry mutually activity previously the ask for fee? the international is a mess; we helped create this mess, how can we now quit it? I actual don't understand, we received't bypass lower back to being remoted from some thing of the international, we've come too some distance for that so, what can we do? You pose an exciting question that many human beings already knew about yet, you pick solutions? If everyone has them, enable them communicate up, we are listening!

Answer 4

Maxorian is spot on and Unrivaledhonor seems to have drank the Kool-Aid.

Iraq was never a threat to OUR freedom. They were a broken and pitiful country thanks to the sanctions that were in place, the constantly patrolled no-fly zones, and the UN's Oil for Food program. They had no WMD's and were not a serious threat to anyone (except their own people), and there were many in the high ranks of this Administration that knew that. Go back and look for quotes from Dr. Rice, Mr. Powell, Mr. Rumsfeld, and Mr. Cheney in relation to Iraq before 9-11. They can all be quoted as dismissing Iraq's potential to wage war or pose a serious threat to US security.

The war has gained nothing for this country except an out of control national debt, over 15,000 dead or wounded soilders, scandals over our own human rights violations, and a huge loss of credibility amongst our allies and the rest of the world.


Just for starters:


"The sanctions exist -- not for the purpose of hurting the Iraqi people, but for the purpose of keeping in check Saddam Hussein's ambitions toward developing weapons of mass destruction ... And frankly they have worked. He has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction. He is unable to project conventional power against his neighbors. So in effect, our policies have strengthened the security of the neighbors of Iraq ... " Secretary of State Colin Powell - 2001 February 24, 2001


"But in terms of Saddam Hussein being there, let's remember that his country is divided, in effect. He does not control the northern part of his country. We are able to keep arms from him. His military forces have not been rebuilt."
National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice - July 29, 2001

Answer 5

once ur in the game, its so hard to stop... do u think the us government will just stop and admit they were wrong? it's like playing the casino, you keep losing but u can't stop cuz u hope u'll eventually win. gas prices are high, but they would be even higher if the usa wouldn't try to make the irak govenrment their pet... oh, and the american pride and stuborness... how can the greatest country give up in front of some arabs?

Answer 6

Your gaining the right to do whatever you plz wear whatever you like and keep doing what your doing everyday without your government interfering. Its called freedom. I don't even get how you can ask that question. Trust me you don't realize how much freedom you have til you don't have any. I am in the army now and i cant do half the things i used to when i wasn't. Enjoying freedom. That's what you are gaining

Answer 7

Because someone out there had spread the ghost stories.
Litlle children with miscommunication and communication failures make sure you don't steal their oil with their imagination running wild on planet earth.
The higher the cost of fuel goes up .
Who will be in trouble?
Will it not be embarassing on living human kind like little children
fighting over God,s natural assets - oil on planet earth?
When living human kind is not even the creator of heaven and earth.

Answer 8

You are gaining nothing. Iraq was no threat at all.

Answer 9

Despite what W apologists tell you, you're not really gaining anything at all.