What would be a greater threat to terrorism: the Iraq war, or (hypothetical) U.S. oil independence?

Question

Which would be a better way to reduce terrorism - our military invasion of Iraq, or a comparable amount of money (1/2 trillion so far) spent to move the U.S. toward oil independence?

Answer 1

The Iraq war does nothing to stop global terrorism. Nothing.

And by far, most of the oil we consume in the US comes from Canada or Mexico, not the Middle East.

Answer 2

Considering that a democratic government is by far the worst thing that you could do to terrorist in the region, I would say it would be our military invasion of Iraq. Saddam used to pay the families of suicide bombers. He doesn't pay them anymore. He had terrorist training camps that were sanctioned by the government. Those camps are not there anymore.

I don't see how oil independence has anything to do with terrorism. Maybe it puts money into the hands of governments like Iran and others that allow money to flow into the hands of terrorist or encourage it. It would make little difference to the level of terrorists if the US bought less oil. All you got to do to get energy independence is allow it to be developed. Are you suggesting opening up oil exploration in the US.

Answer 3

Oil Independence. One way or another, we wont be buying anymore oil from the Middle East (or anyone) wihin 70 years. There will be no more oil anywhere on Earth by that time.

At which point, the Middle Eastern countries that did not wisely invest their money, but squander it on immacualte desert palaces and such.....will revert to what they once were.
A bunch of nomads, hearding camels, chopping each others heads off whenever tribal law demanded it.

Answer 4

We need to be energy independant not necessarily oil independant.

Answer 5

nothing scaring the terrorists more than Bush leaving office ---Bush was an awesome recruiting technique for them

Answer 6

i agree with John