Remember Oil for Food?
How the corruption and dirty dealings went all the way to the top even in the United Nations? As if that should have surprised anyone.
And remember how leading into the war in Iraq, when we Americans were aghast when we learned how Russia, France and Germany based their alliances and decisions on lucrative concessions obtained in that country?
It seems, we the little people are naive to how the world works. Forming alliances and fighting over such petty things as concessions is not new nor is it rare. This is how the rich co-mingle with the powerful, and how those who govern are governed by those who are rich and powerful.
In case you might think there’s something new or underhanded about this, you might want to Google the following article, “Concession hunting in the age of reform: British companies and the search for government guarantees; telegraph concessions through Ottoman territories, 1855-58.”
If I knew my history better I’d list hundreds of similar situations, but instead, I decided to focus on Iran, since Iran’s in the news a lot these days. Although Russia and the West constantly hunted and clashed for concessions throughout the Middle East, Near East and Far East throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, I feel it’s important to point out how fierce the competitions was between France, Germany, Britain and Russia when working out deals with the Ottomans going back even before oil was discovered there.
The Muslims were constantly dealing with the West, and the warfare, although often small and by today’s terms, almost petty, was fought constantly over such things as who gained privileges and a leg up when looking for deals with all kinds of public works projects, and with deals with banks, and who got to build the railroads, and everything having to do with the vast tobacco business.
Back then, that’s what hegemony in the region was all about. That’s what coup d’états were over. That’s why tribal chieftains were ousted and others put in place. Those were the reasons we helped elevate the likes of this shah or that king to various thrones. This is how business was done back then. And whether you like it or not, on some level, that’s still how business is done. Why? Because it’s business.
Business has always been competitive. It’s about relationships, power, money, and it’s rare that governments aren’t involved, and as we’ve seen, it’s even rare now that the United Nations isn’t involved. Corruption is far more common than you might think. What’s rare is the naivete with which Americans view the world. We still think oil should not be part of the equation when dealing with Muslim countries. But how can oil be kept out of the equation?
Oil rich Muslim countries are going to use the oil weapon as long as it holds sway over us. And we’re going to respond in kind. Whether you like it or not, that’s just how it is, so get used to it.
Oh, and anyone who thinks all the wars in the Mid-East started with the establishment of Modern Israel, is equally as foolish. Long before the Jews owned any guns, the Arabs and Muslims were warring with one another. They’ve never gotten along. Why? Because that’s just how it is.
Sure, it’s been great for them ever since Modern Israel was added to the mix. Muslim leaders have continually done their best to rally support behind them based on Arab and Muslim enmity for Jews, and although millions of people continually fall for these shenanigans, that’s all they are. They’re just tools, vehicles, smokescreens, means toward various ends.
So anyone who thinks they’re going to be able to solve the problems of the Middle East by finding peace with the Palestinians is remarkably foolish. Just as anyone who thinks oil can be removed as a factor when making decisions regarding Iraq, Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia is also an idiot. This is just how it is, so get used to it.
