"US military/security policy has served the oil companies as comprehensively as have the tax and legal rulings. Virtually every US presidential security doctrine since World War II has aimed at protecting company interests in the oil-rich Persian Gulf. "

This should come as no suprise to anyone that knows anything at all regarding history and common logic. How do you run industy.......oil. What is needed during war....a heavy industrial center for manufacturing munitions, etc....

This area is VITAL to not only the U.S. but also Europe, China, etc..... Our government is doing a little give and take with the oil industries for being there........NO suprise at all. WE have supported governments in that region that weren't the most popular with the people in that area.......NO suprise. Fact is we HAVE to have a foothold of some sort in that oil rich area for national security reasons.

What happened when Iran stated that they would shut off the pumps if there were sanctions? Chirac made it possible to use nuclear weapons in the case of not only acts of direct terrorism on France but also Economic terrorism like a country shutting off oil supplies (Iran is it's largest supplier). It's not ONLY the U.S., just that the big dog always gets the bad rap.

Have a good one!:jointsmile: