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Is oil a motivation for maintaining a military presence in Iraq?

Topics: Iraq Oil Middle East Politics War

Background

The primary reason the US Government gives for maintaining a military presence in Iraq is to give the Iraqi people a chance at democracy. However, a common skeptical theory is that the US is significantly motivated by a need to secure a cheap supply of oil.

Implications

Expert Opinions

What's Your TakeOnIt?

Agree

Quote

U.S. Senator, Republican

If we leave prematurely... this uncertain swirl of events could cause the region to explode and foreclose the opportunity for millions of Muslims and their children to achieve freedom... [and] the price of oil escalate dramatically and our economy decline...

11 Apr 2007 Source

Agree

Brendan Nelson

Former Australian Defense Minister

Energy security is extremely important to all nations throughout the world, and of course in protecting and securing Australia's interests... Obviously the Middle East itself, not only Iraq but the entire region, is an important supplier of energy, oil in particular, to the rest of the world. Australians and all of us need to think what would happen if there was a premature withdrawal from Iraq.

06 Jul 2007 Source

Mostly Agree

The Wall Street Journal

Newspaper

The U.S. Navy is building a military installation atop this petroleum-export platform as the U.S. establishes a more lasting military mission in the oil-rich north Persian Gulf.

12 Nov 2007 Source

Disagree

Quote

Former Australian Prime Minister

"We're not there because of oil, and we didn't go there because of oil, we don't remain there because of oil," Mr Howard told the Sydney commercial radio station 2GB. "A lot of oil comes from the Middle East, we all know that, but the reason we remain there is we want to give the people of Iraq a possibility of embracing democracy."

06 Jul 2007 Source