Oligarchy is a form of government where political power effectively rests with a small elite segment of society (whether distinguished by wealth, family or military powers). The fact of the matter is that President Eisenhowers National Security Council outlined the basic reasons that the Arab world hated the United States: "the US supports corrupt and oppressive governments and is "opposing political or economic progress" because of its interest in controlling the oil resources of the region." As a result the people in the Middle East hate the fact that the United States is supporting oppressive harsh governments which block democracy and development and that the U.S. is doing it because they want control of their oil resources. So the formula is simple. Put a small group of people in power and make them filthy rich. They will be cooperative as a result.
And things haven't changed as this quote illustrates "Democratization is not on the American agenda in the Middle East. The reason? Because Washington finds it more efficient to support a range of dictators across the Arab world as long as they conform to U.S. foreign policy needs."- Graham E. Fuller former CIA 8/24/98. Of course we know what and who's "needs" he is talking about. Can you say corporate America?
The policy has been clear to those paying attention. What most people do not know is that the United States and at times with the help of Great Britian, has ran the oil fields of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. It is no coincidence that these regions have long had an elite ruling rich class influenced by the United States. It also why it is not a coincidence why the United States suddenly had to deal with Iraq and Hussein.
Yes people would prefer that the United States had a noble cause of protecting itself from an imminent evil threat and liberating a downtrodden people at the same time. Fact is that is total make believe. Yes it is true Hussein was not going to win ruler of the century but the United States helped put him in power in the first place. The fact is they had believed they could add Iraq to their list of oil puppets. However they picked a guy with a few screws loose. Then the Gulf War came and something happened on the way to the gas pump.
After the Gulf War Russia and France built their inside track on Iraqi oil, knowing US corporations would be partially shut out from an enormous resource prize. No US administration was likely to accept that scenario. The fact Russia, France (and some say Germany also) were ready to sign a deal similar to the deal the USA has with the Saudi's and others, forced the Untied States to act. The war on terror was all to convienent. Meanwhile, Iraqi dissidents close to Washington had promised to cancel all existing oil contracts awarded to firms which do not assist the US to remove Saddam Hussein from power. Regime change in Baghdad was seen a bonanza for US oil companies and a disaster for Russian and French companies which have painstakingly built up their relations with the Iraqi dictator since the Gulf war.
Oh frankly many say it is not a coincidence that Osama decided to hide in Afghanistan, oh by the way. Take a look at the Middle Easts leading oil rich countres. #7 Kazakhstan, #10 Azerbaijan, #16 Turkmenistan and #17 Uzbekistan all happen to be North of Afghanistan. The reality is if you control Afghanistan you can control the export of oil from that region. Simple as that.
Of course the United States isn't thrilled that countries like Mexico, Venezuela, and Brazil aren't as generous in their profit sharing, but the fact is by being a dominant consumer the USA can wield enough influence to maintain world leverage. The USA and big oil do not have total control of the oil industry in those nataions. However buying from them will keep the Arab nations in bed with them and deter the Middle Eastern giants from being difficult and malcontents.
So next time you pull up to the pump in the Untied States remember who is sticking it to you. Yes the money grubbing hands of the oil countries but the ring leader of them all is the USA and it's big oil companies!
If you are still doubting take a look at this report from the Feburary 28, 2008 Asia Times. On Monday, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's cabinet in Baghdad approved the draft of the new Iraqi oil law. The government regards it as "a major national project". The key point of the law is that Iraq's immense oil wealth (115 billion barrels of proven reserves, third in the world after Saudi Arabia and Iran) will be under the iron rule of a fuzzy "Federal Oil and Gas Council" boasting "a panel of oil experts from inside and outside Iraq". That is, nothing less than predominantly US Big Oil executives. Iraqi resources, now replaced by production sharing agreements (PSAs) - which translate into savage privatization and monster profit rates of up to 75% for (basically US) Big Oil.
The article explains that Oil wealth on the landowners end, in theory, will be distributed directly to Kurds in the north, Shi'ites in the south and Sunnis in the center. For all practical purposes, Iraq will be partitioned into three statelets. Most of the country's reserves are in the Shi'ite-dominated south, while the Kurdish north holds the best prospects for future drilling. Not surprising the Kurds were among the biggest cheerleaders in a US Iraq invasion and occupation.
Also they reported this comment "By 2010 we will need [a further] 50 million barrels a day. The Middle East, with two-thirds of the oil and the lowest cost, is still where the prize lies." - US Vice President Dick Cheney, then Halliburton chief executive officer, London, autumn 1999. Boy there is a shocker.
So why people all about this beautiful planet wave their flags our leaders continue to urinate all over us and we just smile and pretend it is a relaxing shower.
I will address them to fix it.