I came across this while looking to see where Iraq's oil is going.?

Question

It's a long article. Skim it over, read what interests you, then answer this question. Did we invade Iraq for the oil and use Saddam as an excuse?
http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/oil/2005/crudedesigns.htm#pumping
Take a look at this also. This is from day two of Operation Iraqi Freedom showing we had control of almost all of their oil and infrastructure.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraqi_freedom_d2.htm
Do you still think it was to liberate Iraq from Saddam or to liberate Iraq from its oil?

Answer 1

I think it was more a vendetta against Saddam than anything else by people who believed George Bush Sr. should have gone in and invaded Iraq during the first Gulf War. By him not doing so cost them (The Republicans) the election.
With out question a lot of facts were ignored and distorted leading up to the war.
One main fact was that La Queda had already tried to assassinate Saddam several times. Now why would he be working with La Queda if they had already tried to assassinate him.
Still you can not deny that oil did not play a role in us invading Iraq. Maybe not so much Iraq's oil but the oil of other Muslim countries in the region.
You have to remember that before the Gulf War Saddam had out law-ed women wearing barque's (or whatever those things women wear) and being covered and veiled in public. None of that set well with the other Muslim oil rich countries.
He had also appointed a Christian as one of his cabinet members another no-no as far as most of the other Muslim countries were concerned.
In short he was moving toward modernizing Iraq and making it a more secular country where the Muslim Clerics and Imam's did not have any power to control the government. another no-no as far as countries like Saudi Arabia were concerned.
So taking all that into account there must have been a lot of behind the scene things going on which we will most likely never really know.

Answer 2

A major part of Iraq's oil has been shipped through Saudi to the Red Sea for many years and wasn't controlled by Iraq, it was just placed on the world market along with the rest of the world oil. Basically the world oil is as other commodities and is sold for to the buyers willing to pay the price. Part of the issue was to remove Saddam from control (although the followup to recovery of Iraq was stupidly and incompetently handled) The global policy is much bigger than oil.

Answer 3

I never did believe that it was to bring home Iraqi oil.

One of the major reasons for the war was that, under the guise of the oil for food provision of the UN sanctions, Sadam was overselling his OPEC quota and was starting to sell oil for Euros.

It was a simple case of Supply and Demand. Reduce the supply and you can demand what you want. Saudi oil and the Bush family's oil holdings became a lot more profitable. And the Bush tax breaks on gas guzzlers just added icing to the cake.

Answer 4

I would not argue that the oil markets were an incentive. Saddam was trying to change the currency used in oil transactions from the dollar to the euro. Not a good situation for the U.S. economy.

Answer 5

I study the solutions of each and every of the others that replied, and whilst I agree that all and sundry warfare in mans historic previous has no longer been tied to grease i visit assert that for the reason that WWI oil has been the identifying element. no longer in basic terms that yet i might state that if issues proceed at present day expenditures, oil may be the hot reason at the back of wars, somewhat to being in basic terms the element that determines the winner of such wars. for sure, it truly is simplifying issues, as all of us understand that there are different factors in contact in why international locations bypass to warfare, yet at this element and time in historic previous, oil is the tie that binds maximum if no longer all of those different factors. I completely disagree with the thought flex gasoline autos are the respond, as you will in basic terms be identifying to purchase and merchandising one flamable for yet another and could in the tip in basic terms greater effective entangle peoples daily lives with the actual problem which isn't oil consistent with say, yet means. you may, in spite of fact to the alternative, decrease into international nutrition factors in a fashion that would assure warfare even swifter than oil itself ever could. I agree that determination could be more desirable, yet i've got faith that the respond in the very short term is a greater proper use of present day supplies until the subsequent technologies is perfected. as an occasion, we go with greater proper make the main of our image voltaic, wind, hydroelectric, organic gasoline and nuclear means in a fashion that severely cuts our dependence on oil be it foreign places or family contributors.

Answer 6

No, and no.

Who is 'we'? This forum can be read around the world.

If you mean the US and A, you do realize that most of it's oil comes from Canada?

Get the facts. They're the best antidote for propaganda.

Answer 7

Let me educate you a little bit. American Foreign Policy is based on what is best for the US. Not anyone else. What did you think foreign policy was about? Yes, this goes back to Thomas Jefferson, who is in the top three Americans in history.

If you don't like this idea...you're welcome to leave...or just don't vote. You can b-itch and moan all you want.

The US is bigger than you or me...if it takes me and you getting killed to make this a better country, then say your prayers. It's not about me and you.

Answer 8

Well it would make sense to secure the wells since Sadam lit the wells on fire in Kuwait.

Answer 9

Thanks for the links Ken!

Seems it can be spelled out in BOLD LETTERS and some will still refute the truth!!!

madpol1: I don't think they care if the oil comes home or goes to any other country as long as they get a cut!!

Answer 10

Full circle, eh?

Round and round and round and round...

Who knows. How does it help us to know? That's the question no one can answer for me. If it doesn't help us, then it might not be relevant at this point...