Scott talks to Michael Klare about the incentives behind America’s involvement in wars in the Middle East. One common narrative says that Bush invaded Iraq simply because America needed the oil—the truth, says Klare, is somewhat more complicated. He explains that American war planners see a combined strategic interest in U.S. involvement in the Middle East that includes military positioning and the economic interest of exerting control over the oil trade. For one thing, America has essentially promised Saudi Arabia that it will defend their kingdom forever in exchange for a privileged position in the oil business. Even if the U.S. is energy independent, says Klare, oil prices here depend on the global market, so there will always be incentive to try to maintain stability in the Middle East. With the current state of global economy, there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight.
Discussed on the show:
- “8/7/20 Kingston Reif on the Growing Nuclear Tensions Between the US, Russia and China” (The Libertarian Institute)
- All Hell Breaking Loose: The Pentagon’s Perspective on Climate Change
- “A World of “Killer Robots” But Not “National Security”” (TomDispatch)
Michael Klare is the author of The Race for What’s Left and a regular contributor at TomDispatch.com. Find him on Twitter @mklare1.
This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; Listen and Think Audio; TheBumperSticker.com; and LibertyStickers.com.
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