Biden to McCain: Now What?
Shell to Develop Iraqi Gas
Joe Biden wants to know what exactly John McCain's plans are for Iraq, beyond this vague claim of 'victory.'
Iraq has approved a preliminary deal with Royal Dutch Shell to develop its natural gas fields. Shell recently pulled out of a deal to develop Iran's much more extensive gas fields, out of fear of being slapped with economic sanctions by the US.
The Iraqi parliament will reconvene this week and will attempt to pass a law enabling provincial elections. There are lots of other laws that need passing, including one governing oil and gas contracts.
Michael Schwartz on 'Who lost Iraq?' at Tomdispatch.com.
It is not a good thing that al-Maliki is pressuring Iraqi refugees in Egypt and Jordan to return. The UNHCR says it is too dangerous for them as yet. Some returnees in Diyala Province were recently evicted from their homes yet again by militia action. Since Iraqis are still leaving Iraq for Jordan and Syria in some numbers, the whole thing is a publicity stunt. Thousands came to Jordan last May alone. More are certainly leaving than returning.
posted by Juan Cole @ 9/08/2008 01:09:00 AM
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4 Comments:
Sarah Palin has referred to the Iraq War as a "Mission from God". With hundreds of thousands of innocent victims from this war, what sort of God is she talking about?
This is not a question she will be asked in any interviews she gives.
"Victory" can only mean a military victory. Right? Now, given that:
1) The USA has used the greatest military power in history against a small 3rd world country already half-dead due to sanctions.
2) Five and a half year (and a trillion dollars) on, the USA is talking about victory in sight: not yet achieved.
One can only conclude that the US military is the worst performing in history. A great insult to its leaders and members.
On the other hand, if the "solution" cannot be military, as the US generals keep saying, then this talk of victory is just pathetic rather than indicitive of greatness.
Re the oil thing, with a small "o":
I'd be interested to know if there are ongoing negotiations to resolve Iraq's long-standing dispute with Kuwait? If so, what are they bilateral or sanctioned by an international body, and are there prospects for resolution?
Iraq has claimed that Kuwait is selling oil drawn from the Iraq side of their border, and I believe that led to a smallish shooting incident between border guards last year.
If I'm not mistaken, Iraq also has offshore territorial issues with Iran that go back to armed seizures of near-shore gulf islands by the Shah's army.
Schwartz's essay has me thinking even more positively that Maliki will run-out-the-clock on the UNSC mandate, and upon its expiration at the beginning of 2009 demand the immediate withdrawl of ALL foreign military forces. I would also expect him to demand that all bases and related infrastucture be transfered to Iraqi ownership as a form of reparation payment. I don't see any reason for Maliki NOT to pursue this policy. Only 114days to go. If it becomes clear toward the end of October that Maliki is stonewalling the SOFA, it will be very interesting to see how the presidential candidates react.
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