While the US are anxiously forcing the Iraq Oil legislation through Iraq’s parliament, the grand prize may remain elusive to US oil giants.
All strands of these five overlapping wars will never allow the United States – or Anglo-American Big Oil – to control Iraq’s oil wealth. Even if the new oil law is ratified by Parliament before June, implementation will be a certified nightmare, and security for billions of dollars of necessary investment non-existent.
Strands of these five overlapping wars also will never accept the long-term imposition of vast US military bases under a Status of Forces Agreement negotiated with dodgy politicians who spend more time in London than in Baghdad.
Did the Bush and Balir governments really believe the Iraqis were going to hand over their oil that easily?