Political, militaristic, and economic instability insures that you can charge far more for a product. . .does anyone really believe that the powers-that-be really want peace in this region? It's far more about money and resources and less about philosophy and religion than Americans would like to believe. . .

Actually, the flow of Iraqi oil has been pretty steady for the past year or so, the highest it's been in many years. The oil production apparati tends to be a target for the insurgents, typical of their war against the "American Occupation" as they make the Iraqi innocents pay the toll, with blood, sweat, tears and money.

But, anyone who thinks the Iraqi oil was a major consideration in favor of going to war in Iraq needs a math lesson. They were and are not a major player among OPEC countries.

If only this were the reason, the Iraqi incursion would make some sense. Unfortunatley I don't think this was on the minds of our leadership when it pulled the trigger.

Not impressed with our attempts at this, at least not at this point. The powers that be don't seem to have taken into account the weakness of the oil pipeline infrastructure. I can't swear to it (being an ignorant commoner) but I don't think we've kept the pipeline flowing for more the two weeks or so at a time. The insurgents seem to love it as a target. The promise that Iraqi oil will help pay for the Iraqi liberation seems to be a ways down the road.

Hey, Haliburton loves this one. Now they own Iraqis' oil instead of domestic oil companies there.

Not yet. If you don't believe me, go fill up your car with gas.