America's armed forces have, for many decades, been used to protect our interests around the world. That has been the U.S. policy designed to prevent some rogue nation or pirates to disrupt or take control of oil or other resources; for example, to protect shipments of oil going through the very narrow Strait of Hormuz from attacks or from a blockade. Also, to prevent an attack on Saudi Arabia, one of our largest suppliers of oil.
But now our military has seemingly evolved from a protector of our interests to become a major element in actually securing critical natural resources. The top leaders in the U.S. government are fully aware that America, with only 5% of the world's population, and which consumes 25% of its petroleum production, will face massive shortages in supply in the decades to come. Knowing these facts, their #1 objective has been to guarantee a steady supply of oil to sustain our economy and our way of life.
How do you do that? Exactly the way we are proceeding; by using our military to become engaged in regions of the world that have enormous oil reserves. And that brings us back to my original premise, that the only impediment to total U.S. control of the Middle East and its staggering oil reserves is Iran. If somehow, Iran can be pacified and becomes one more client state of America, then the mission will be accomplished.
The danger that looms over the region is, that at some point, some provocative action could result in an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. Should that egregious event take place, the result could be massive devastation. To think that the U.S. would attempt to occupy and try to pacify yet another more sovereign nation, given the fact that Iran's closest allies include Russia and China, is a frightening thought. Let's hope that grave scenario will never, ever take place.
This is a very dangerous situation. Iran, well aware of the power of the U.S. and Israel, does not want to engage them but, if it is attacked, it is capable of considerable retaliation. Ahmadinejad, their slightly wacko president, continues to play his mind games to keep his tormentors off balance. Israel has been itching to attack Iran's nuclear facilities but, so far, has been restrained by the U.S.
However, the biggest problem is the U.S. and particularly President Obama, who many months ago had promised that he would pursue a course of diplomacy, including face to face discussions with Iran. That position was not welcomed by Israel since diplomacy and negotiations have never been one of its strengths. All of a sudden that former quest for a diplomatic solution seems to have dissipated, with repeated warnings and threats continuing to be the strategy of choice.
While, the title of this article refers to "only one impediment" there are actually two. It seems that at every turn these days China keeps getting in the way of U.S. plans. China's ever growing economy needs increasing supplies of oil and it is making deals all around the world to obtain them. Of most consequence is that, today, 58% of China's oil imports come from the Middle East. By 2015, projections indicate that percentage will rise to 70%.
What may transpire in the Middle East in the coming years might best be described by the phrase, "When an immovable object (China) meets an irresistible force (the U.S.)." It's a real stretch to think that China, with a growing, insatiable thirst for oil, would merely stand by and watch the U.S. take control of the Middle East
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