When will the oil situation in Iraq be fixed

[Denny]

In reading this article today in CNN Money, it seems the U.S. never followed though to bring stability, security and prosperity to Iraq, as it committed back in 2002.

See Iraq Oil Riches Languish

Some quotes, which are just like late 2002:

"Hundreds of thousands of barrels a day are lost to smuggling, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Insurgents have launched hundreds of hit-and-run attacks on oil pipelines. "

""The current crude production is about 2.4 million barrels per day," Shahristani said. "That is the highest it has been since the fall of the regime" nearly four and a half years ago. That figure is exaggerated, according to some analysts. The Washington-based oil consultancy PFC Energy estimates Iraq's oil output at about 1.9 million, and predicts that level will hold through 2008, because of enduring violence and war damage."

I recall all the news back in 2002, about how the U.S. would renew the aged Iraq oil infratructure. Nothing has been accomplished. Instead, oil output is lower than under Saddam, when oil exports were restricted by the U.N.

The outcome of this war has been just a plain fiasco all around. I heard a U.S. general interviewed on the news yesterday who claimed that U.S. forces were stretched to maintain the levels of about 160,000 in Iraq. But, I remember when the U.S. had 500,000 men in Vietnam, back 35 years ago or more.

Considering the war was militarily won five years ago, the occupation has been poorly done. I am sure countries decimated in Workld War II, such as Germany and Japan were back on their feet by 1950 and exporting goods, much more than Iraq is today.

Instead of pulling out its troops, it may be time for the U.S. to put in many more and clean up the mess they started in 2002. Otherwise, all the men (and women) lost in the years between will be in vain. Many Americans were expecting to see oil prices go down after the Iraq victory, so this has been a disappointment for sure. I think it impact the Republican party prospects for the future if they don't get things fixed up soon.

[bush_cheney2004]

The proven and easily recoverable oil reserves will be there for a long time.....what's the hurry?

When will Canada have Afghanistan up and running all by itself? It's been almost six years...more than Iraq!

[M.Dancer]

The proven and easily recoverable oil reserves will be there for a long time.....what's the hurry?

Yeah, really, who needs oil cash to fix the water supply or to pay the soldiers who will replace the US troops when there's the US taxpayer to do that.....