Human nature, being what it is, we tend to overlook the subtlety with which self-interest influences our affairs. When you level the charge at our leaders, that this is all about oil, they are insulted and dismayed, as well they should be. Very few of us look in the mirror and see an evil, venal creature grasping for money and power. Neither do they. They see sternly realistic men, doing what needs be done. Of course, there are enormous advantages to American interests if Iraq should become, essentially, an American protectorate.
Post-war Iraq will need considerable assistance in rebuilding its infrastructure, and advice and expertise in making the best economic decisions. Who should a grateful and adoring people look to but thier liberators for such advice and expertise? Who is better equipped to provide such than the down-to-Earth thinkers at Exxon, British Petroleum, and GASPROM? And surely a grateful people, recently liberated from the grasp of a fiend, will wish to compensate American for the expense of its liberation, will make great pains not to be stingy in its relationship with its new best friend. Well, what’s wrong with that?
Iraq’s oil is the elephant in the living room, that no one talks about, even as it thunderously farts clouds of peanut scented methane, its there, but its not. Its about regional stability, not American hegemony. Though, of course, American influence will certainly be central to such stability. Its about protecting the fragile world economy and protecting American interests, not about rooting out a hostile regime, and seizing control of its resources.
Our leaders look in mirrors every day, and, people being people, they never see a hypocrite staring back. Of course they are aware of the enormous advantages for American power, American influence, and the American economy. But each and every one could look you square in the eye and say “Its not about the oil!”. And beleive every word. Such is the delicate and seductive power of self interest: it often comes in the guise of stern duty and moral burden.
