Oil, Iraq and U.S. Foreign Policy: A Way Forward

While watching General Petraeus’ testimony before Congress yesterday, it became increasingly clear to me that United States’ foreign, military and fiscal policies are in complete disarray.

Those of you familiar with my outspoken views on peak oil and the weak U.S. dollar will not be surprised at such a statement. However, before you conclude this article will bore you to death and switch to another, my angle of attack may peak your interest and make you some money.


As I am sure George Bush, Dick Cheney, and Donald Rumsfeld did, for a moment pretend the world is a giant Monopoly game. The U.S. has major opponents (China, Russia, etc.) of both an economic and military nature. We used to have friends (France, Germany, etc.) but it was decided by Rumsfeld that these were the countries of “old Europe” and so they were marginalized. Regardless, it was clear to the U.S. “brain trust”, being oil men, that the world ran on oil and whoever had access to the cheapest and largest supplies would “win” the game.

True enough, I suppose, but what strategic moves shall we make on the world Monopoly board. Well, let’s see …. where do the largest most easily accessible high quality oil reserves lie…hmm….oh, wow, Iraq! Ok, well, we can’t wait for our turn to roll the dice and hope we “land” on Iraq, else we risk not passing “Go” and collecting our $200. So, let’s whip up a “WMD strategy” so we can go directly there and, instead of buying a hotel, just steal the oil. Wait, no WMDs found? That makes us look bad….hmm…well, not to worry, we really wanted to topple Hussein and install democracy. Whatever, the PR strategy worked, and the American people in their post 9/11 furor to attack someone (anyone…), took the bait hook line and sinker.

Seeking Alpha