Arizona economists say Iraq exit alone unlikely to impact oil prices

Republicans — including Arizona Sen. John McCain and Phoenix Congressman John Shadegg — warn that a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq will destabilize the country and could spill over to other oil-rich Middle Eastern markets.

But economists say a U.S. exit from Iraq is unlikely to push gasoline and crude oil prices higher in the long-term unless the Iraqi turmoil escalates or hits Saudi Arabia or other major Middle Eastern oil producers.