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- Jan 21, 2007
Originally Posted by Mo Matik
We can't say "humanitarian crisis" and assume things are the same all over. Geography, neighboring countries, possibility of success, casualties, etc. All these things play a role.
Examine the evidence, not opinion. The truth is, a lot of oil companies have lost profits over the the current conflict. So you have to explain that. You also have to explain how it was the entire international community and not just the US.
As for the video Wr posted, I agree with whiterails, this guy is giving his opinion. He says that Ghaddafi will become a martyr? People hate Ghaddafi. He has a long history of anti-democratic policy. He's been perceived as a global pariah for a long time now. When asked if oil plays a role, he brings up various vague economic possibilities. Possibilities which would pretty much exist all over the middle east. Again, we have to examine the facts. It's a great thing that the international community responded when they did.
http://www.juancole.com/2...n+%28Informed+Comment%29
This article covers the facts better than I can explain. Juan Cole has been following the conflict since the beginning.
And let's stop trying to learn about issues of international politics and conflict through short 5 to 10 minute videos. A 10 minute video will never be able to give you a complete and full picture of what is going on. Never. If you want to learn about the world you have to spend time reading sourced scholarship.
Mo, you're using to many words and not enough YouTube videos to present your point, which is why no one will listen.
I came here to post that Juan Cole article as well, thought it was a fantastic read.
I'd really like to reiterate this point though;
10. This was a war for Libya’s oil. That is daft. Libya was already integrated into the international oil markets, and had done billions of deals with BP, ENI, etc., etc. None of those companies would have wanted to endanger their contracts by getting rid of the ruler who had signed them. They had often already had the trauma of having to compete for post-war Iraqi contracts, a process in which many did less well than they would have liked. ENI’s profits were hurt by the Libyan revolution, as were those of Total SA. andRepsol. Moreover, taking Libyan oil off the market through a NATO military intervention could have been foreseen to put up oil prices, which no Western elected leader would have wanted to see, especially Barack Obama, with the danger that a spike in energy prices could prolong the economic doldrums. An economic argument for imperialism is fine if it makes sense, but this one does not, and there is no good evidence for it (that Qaddafi was erratic is not enough), and is therefore just a conspiracy theory.