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In this article at the Guardian, Israel seeks pipeline for Iraqi oil, the reporter reveals plans to reopen a pipeline that has been inactive since 1948.

Plans to build a pipeline to siphon oil from newly conquered Iraq to Israel are being discussed between Washington, Tel Aviv and potential future government figures in Baghdad.

The plan envisages the reconstruction of an old pipeline, inactive since the end of the British mandate in Palestine in 1948, when the flow from Iraq’s northern oilfields to Palestine was re-directed to Syria.

Now, its resurrection would transform economic power in the region, bringing revenue to the new US-dominated Iraq, cutting out Syria and solving Israel’s energy crisis at a stroke.

Hmm, smells fishy

More evidence that there isn’t very much going on in the way of actual thinking by the leaders of our country.

U.S. wary as Iraqi Shiites rise in strength

“It is a complex equation, and the U.S. government is ill-equipped to figure out how this is going to shake out,” a U.S. State Department official said. “I don’t think anyone took a step backward and asked: What are we looking for? The focus was on the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.”

So you guys didn’t bother to plan out what was going to happen after you overthrew Saddam’s Regime? Great…

What a great message of freedom and democracy we’re sending to the people of Iraq and to the world- “We’ll let you choose your leaders, as long as we like them. So we’ll find some people we like and make sure they get elected.”

I caught the last 20 minutes of this speech while driving home on Sunday. Flipping through the channels, it was too early for Freedom Rock on (always has been Freedom rock, never French Rock), so I stumbled upon MPR Presents. I was gripped by the speaker’s voice as he calmly recalled being shot at in multiple countries while covering various wars and conflicts. It was very intense and surreal. I hope it wasn’t MSU’s graduation speech.

As soon as I get a chance to listen to it straight through I will post a few quotes.

APRIL 20, 2003: Chris Hedges at Minnesota State University
Chris Hedges, a Pulitzer Prize-winning former war correspondent for the New York Times, and author of War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning, has become an outspoken opponent of war. He recently spoke at Minnesota State University in Mankato on his view of war and how combatants, civilians, and reporters will likely feel the effects of the latest Iraq war for a long time to come. (Chris Hedges recently appeared on MPR’s Speaking of Faith.)

Listen to the speech…

What Is it Good For?

The blatant war-mongering followed immediately by profiteering inevitably raise questions about the real reasons American men and women have been fighting and dying in Iraq. President Bush told us the war was about weapons of mass destruction and the need to get rid of the degenerate Saddam. There was also talk about democracy taking root in Iraq and spreading like spring flowers throughout the Arab world.

The two things that were never openly discussed, that never became part of the national conversation, were oil and money. Those crucial topics were left to the major behind-the-scenes operators, many of whom are now cashing in.

Editorial: Bush should lean on Israel

This oped piece in the Star Tribune today pretty much nails it:

But the greatest opportunity lies not in changing the behavior of potential foes but forcefully nudging friends, namely Israel, to do what needs to be done — and that’s to restart a constructive process that will bring peace to Jewish and Palestinian states. No single event would better protect American shores from terrorist threats in the long run.

I’m convinced that the large majority of our problems in the middle east stem from our support of Israel and it’s actions (through our failure to criticize Israel for anything it does). If we can force Israel and Palestine to establish a sustainable peace, it would go a long way towards stability in the world.

Conquest and Neglect

The scary thing is that this slash-and-burn approach to governing may continue to work for Mr. Bush’s people because the initial triumphs get all the headlines. Unfortunately, the rest of the world has to live in the wreckage they leave behind.