Quote:
Originally posted by Azimaith:
I keep hearing Oil Oil oil, we could have invaded saudi arabia if we wanted oil, they have more, we haven't even bought oil from iraq since before desert storm, the only people who were well known to buy from iraq were, surprise, france and germany.
|
Since the 70s the US has been able to simply buy oil from Saudi Arabia without having to bang its chest
too hard. Iraq was being problematic in not openly co-operating with American oil companies, thus it was invaded and had a little 'regime change' forced on it. When a more compliant government is inserted into Iraq (one that will sell it's oil to US firms at cheap prices), then Iraq will be all nice and dandy in American diplomatic books again.
Savvy governments will never invade unless it is economically shrewd to do so. Buy first, then if they won't sell, take them down. When you are as ridiculously dependant upon oil for your infrastructure as the USA is you just can't afford to not have a free flowing supply of oil from international markets. There are numerous markets from which the US buys its oil (Middle-Eastern States, Russia, Alaska, Texas etc) but it needs
all of them to be compliant if it is to recieve enough oil to keep its infrastructure operating smoothly. The 1970s oil shortage was a real eye-opener for the US federal government as to what can happen if oil supplies are restricted. If one supplier-nation plays up, you better believe there's going to be trouble. If Saudi Arabia
DID withold its oil on a long-term basis then you betcha they would be invaded too, right quick.
[ 10-06-2003, 08:55 AM: Message edited by: The Hierophant ]