Mapping The Oil MotiveMichael T. Klare
March 18, 2005
The Bush administration has publicly advanced a number of reasons for going to war in Iraq, from WMDs to the Iraqi people's need for liberation. Michael Klare reviews the evidence that securing America's source of oil was a decisive factor in the White House's decision to invade—and looks at whether the administration succeeded.
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This assessment has obvious implications for many key aspects of U.S. foreign policy. For one thing, it casts considerable doubt on the utility of pre-emptive military action as a tool for promoting stability in unsettled regions like the Middle East-a conclusion that deserves close attention as we move closer to a possible war with Iran. Many aspects of U.S. policy for postwar "nation building" also need to be re-examined. But what is most evident is that the administration's strategy of using military force to achieve its energy objectives in the Middle East is hopelessly flawed.
Despite all the loss of human life, it appears highly unlikely that the major Gulf producers will achieve the 85 percent increase in daily petroleum output deemed essential to meet U.S. and international oil requirements in 2020, and so we should expect recurring oil shortages and price increases. Only by diminishing our day-to-day consumption of petroleum and demilitarizing our foreign energy policy can we hope to reduce our exposure to costly oil-supply disruptions in the Middle East and lower the risk of further bloodshed. (more at the link):
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/mapping_the_oil_motive.php Some advice:
1. If you own a vehicle that gets less than 35 mpg, sell it while you still can;
2. If you own a home and it is not within walking distance or a bus ride from where you work, sell it while you still can;
3. If you rent, move to within walking distance or a bus ride from where you work.
Do, # 1-3, soon.
Peace.
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