Monks Jazz Club
Why the U.S. Invaded Iraq
RECEIVED Tue., Nov. 27, 2007
Dear Editor,
From weapons of mass destruction, liberating Iraqis from Saddam Hussein, and finally battling the amorphous specter of “Islamo-fascism,” the reasons for the U.S. invasion of Iraq have changed almost every year. But with the recent signing of the “declaration of principles” between President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the truth has been revealed: The U.S. went to war against Iraq to seize its oil.
Sure, there are other less prominent reasons that we decided to go to war: the chance for the privatization bonanza, which has occurred, fattening the pockets of top administration officials who have investments in reconstruction firms – à la Dick Cheney – and basic geopolitical motivation to strengthen America’s presence around the world. But these reasons probably wouldn’t have sufficed for an invasion absent Iraq’s oil.
The declaration of principles that Bush has signed with al-Maliki officially calls for a U.S. troop presence in Iraq for the foreseeable future and also creates “preferential treatment for U.S. investors.” Think about that. U.S. troops will stay and die in Iraq, despite any reconciliation between the factions of Iraq’s government, so that American investors can siphon oil while profiting from the newest free market in the Middle East. What more proof does anyone need? Democracy promotion is a euphemism for market-driven warfare.
From weapons of mass destruction, liberating Iraqis from Saddam Hussein, and finally battling the amorphous specter of “Islamo-fascism,” the reasons for the U.S. invasion of Iraq have changed almost every year. But with the recent signing of the “declaration of principles” between President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the truth has been revealed: The U.S. went to war against Iraq to seize its oil.
Sure, there are other less prominent reasons that we decided to go to war: the chance for the privatization bonanza, which has occurred, fattening the pockets of top administration officials who have investments in reconstruction firms – à la Dick Cheney – and basic geopolitical motivation to strengthen America’s presence around the world. But these reasons probably wouldn’t have sufficed for an invasion absent Iraq’s oil.
The declaration of principles that Bush has signed with al-Maliki officially calls for a U.S. troop presence in Iraq for the foreseeable future and also creates “preferential treatment for U.S. investors.” Think about that. U.S. troops will stay and die in Iraq, despite any reconciliation between the factions of Iraq’s government, so that American investors can siphon oil while profiting from the newest free market in the Middle East. What more proof does anyone need? Democracy promotion is a euphemism for market-driven warfare.
Justin Finney
