Reasons for War

[The Great Quail]

Terrence,

I don't have a lot of time right now, so I will be very brief. Also, since
we agree on a lot, I don't see the reason in a protracted debate. Many of
your points seem to address misunderstandings regarding what I was trying to
say, which is my fault for not being more clear.

>but first I think it is important to dismiss the idea that oil is
> the reason the USA, the coalition, the people of the world want to and
> need to "stabilize" the region.

We'll have to disagree. While it is not the only reason, without the
presence of oil, the US and the West in general would have a lot less
interest in the region. When I say "oil is at the root of it," I mean
literally, oil is at the root of US involvement in the region. I appreciate
your arguments for other reasons -- and you are right, of course -- but my
original point stands for me: without oil, the US would not be half as
interested. And the tremendous oil wealth is also something that helps
create the disparity between the people and the ruling classes.

> What? The weakest reason is to disarm Iraq?

I meant, of course, reasons for the current war, not the Gulf War and after,
which is what you are addressing your points to! No one seriously thinks
Iraq had nukes *right now,* and their chem weapons and few remaining
missiles are not a big threat to the US. So it was the weakest reason to
invade -- much weaker than "prevention."

I'll address your other points if I have some time later. You make some good
points about my sloppy use of the term "Arab Street," and I regret that I
used it. (As a fan of Said's "Covering Islam," I should have known better.)
But still, there is undeniably an inflamed anti-US opinion in much of the
Arab world, this is obvious from reading the popular press and watching
their news networks. Obviously its not universal, but it does include Egypt,
Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and some gulf states, and that's still
significant.

Thanks,

--Quail