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Control of Oil & World Power

By Noam Chomsky at Jan 18, 2005


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Japan and Europe have been working hard to achieve a measure of energy independence for a long time, ever since they had the opportunity. Japan has had long-standing relations with Iranian oil production, and got a multi-billion dollar contract for opening a new field a year or two ago.  China is seeking to do so all over, including the Western hemisphere, and India too.  I'm sure the US doesn't like it.  Nor does it like the idea that Northeast Asia, the most dynamic part of the world economy, could be energy-rich if it manages to incorporate Siberian resources.  These concerns surely like in the immediate background of the invasion of Iraq, the last known part of the world where there are vast unexplored and untapped oil reserves, also very easily accessible: no permafrost, tar sand, deep sea drilling, etc. Just to mention the obvious, the US takeover of Iraq blocked Russian and French projects, and unless the US invasion really goes bust, it's very likely to end up with the US and its clients having the inside track.  The jockeying about Central Asia, where pipelines go, etc., is all part of the same concerns. Worth mentioning that it's always been not so much a matter of access as control.
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Oil and Power

By Rocksoden, Rock at Nov 25, 2006 09:53 AM

If it's possible for the powers that be in the US to instigate 9/11 (and it is possible - ISI's money man and the one blamed for being behind 9/11 was see in DC just before 9/11 with some senior Pentagon, Senate and Congress officials including Powell, check it out) (Osamma was reported by Dan Rather to have checked in to the urology department of a Pakistani military hospital (checked in on 9/10) crawling with ISI and CIA operatives -so why was he not picked up?),, check it out for yourselves... Then logic should lead us to believe that it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Al Queda are not the enemy of the US but operating under instructions from ISI who are in turn taking instructions from CIA... connect the dots. So in Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia they are creating instabaility as a pretext for US interventions and therefore greater control over the oil assets. If that's what US citizens wish to sign up to as American interests being served (and Canadian and British, NZ and Australian too), then it is a very sad world in which we live in. Wake up.. Do your research. Get a decent search engine like Lexis Nexis and connect the dots..

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Darjant, Darjan at Mar 06, 2005 05:57 AM

Well, colective consciousnes of the so called western world is in big trouble. It is being uder attack. Since always. That is our "howto preserve peace and prosperity". Go to war concuer territory and happines shall be ligtned upon you. Damn. Look around you. There are other ways. Change. Is it that hard? You see any faces around that look like grenland vikings? They did not want to change. They died. Let thet be a lesson from christianity once and for all. NOchange is NOgood. so long, darjant@gmail.com

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Philosopherplus, Karl at Mar 05, 2005 16:33 PM

The intolerant jihadi Arab world has control of the oil and if the U.S. doesn't get control of it soon we'll all be radical Muslims or dhimmis

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Philmphanatic, Benningwentworth at Feb 03, 2005 09:15 AM

ps you can forget about elections, they'll be easier to control once we're into panic. Theyve already proved they can manage the manipulation of electoral system and with enhanced police powers, supreme lap dogs, and congress on a leash...look closely at democrats who are actually functioning as the loyal opposition, enabling the snake oil scam by not protesting too much. Its the same tactic you see in the pseudo opposing talking head set pieces where they can both slightly criticize pieces of the bush agenda while simply addind framing flourishes. Face it, a substantial number of the dems profit from the same corporate niche/ecology. The synergy of christian fundamentalists with the corporatocracy ( ala john perkins)makes for a slam dunk as long as they keep the deluded swing voters righteusly indignant until the cheerleadser fron hell leads the country over the financial precipice. Don't forget to thank osama for that neat little cooperative effort w/ geo to destabilize the us economy...couldn't have done it better if they planned it

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By Philmphanatic, Benningwentworth at Feb 03, 2005 09:04 AM

Well you are on the right track. us must control some source of ready oil to continue to have weight in the power game, iraq insures it and iran is just a complement. The soc sec scam is just a bandaid on the stock market to get alittle lift before all the smart guys bail out. China sells treasuries and opec converts to euro. Then when this nation goes into a financial panic and martial law is declared, in the name of nat'l security and to protect the president. Groundwork is already being laid, this 80 bil is just a shot in the halliburton conduit. They're busy vaccuuming uo the scraps of 200 years of empire..in twelve months they'll gather up their marbles, get out of the market and we'll refer to this period as the calm before the storm.

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Chuck, Lstrzmnyn at Jan 30, 2005 23:05 PM

I think that leverage is a greater motivation than consumption where the US and ME oil is concerned. The US imports about 20% of it's oil from the ME. This, to me, is Chomsky's point. The threat of significant economic, and potentially military, rivals to US power squeezing out from under the Imperial thumb is disconcerting to say the least. A liberated Japan working in concert with China to secure a stable source of energy is a very serious threat to US influence globally. This notwithstanding, I personally see the independent attitudes of Germany and France, coupled with a potential US-GB rift, as a farmore serious threat to said influence. If Europe calls the US' bluff where it's military posturing goes, what then?

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Allanpuzianowski, Someoilguy at Jan 24, 2005 22:46 PM

Also, the assertion that it would be quote "hard to explain US troops shooting people that look the same as Americans" (in the context of Americans shooting Canadians) is also a stretch. The people in Germany did not look much different from Americans and they were bombed and shot at in WWII. Many Russians are not much different in looks from Americans and they were the official enemy for years under the Soviet era. I believe that almost anyone from any nation can be made into a dire enemy. Albeit it seems easier if they are Islamic. This is the incredible achievement of propaganda and the manufacture of consent. Noam Chomsky writes about this at great length and I agree with him. However, a propaganda war turning Canadians into official enemies of the US may create many US casualties. Many Americans may die laughing.

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Allanpuzianowski, Someoilguy at Jan 24, 2005 22:18 PM

In my original post, I was trying to make the point that the US is trying to secure "cheap" or "conventional" oil supplies rather than going after weak states that have coal or oil shales. In fact, I believe that the US quote "humanitarian intervention" in Somolia in 1993 was actually about oil. Large parts of Somolia may (it has not been fully explored) have large quantities of conventional oil, especially off-shore, extending from the same reservior that Yemen exploits now. It is no wonder that Conoco still maintains a presence there and that the northern de facto state of "The Rupublic of Somoliland" is not recognised by other nations. Recognition of this state could invalidate oil agreements signed with the previous Somilia regime prior to the civil war.

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Allanpuzianowski, Someoilguy at Jan 24, 2005 22:12 PM

I find it interesting that anyone would say that there is a potential quote "control problem" with respect to US access to Canadian oil. Canada and the US have treaties regarding energy access issues as far back as the 1970's. The Canadian gov't tried to ban the importation of a gasoline additive called MMT in the 1990's, made by the Ethyl Corporation in the US. Now, MMT is banned in US gasoline (health hazard). Ethyl, sued the Canadian gov't under NAFTA and won. Overturning the ban AND getting $20 million for their trouble. The idea of US troops shooting at Canadians over oil is silly considering the history. Don't send marines, just your lawyers.

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Coppernut, Coppernut at Jan 24, 2005 15:21 PM

One of the main concerns of the signers of the "New American Century" manifest (www.newamericancentury.org) is China. Last July, Colin Powell visited Darfur (Sudan) to denounce the atrocities committed there by the infamous janjaweed militias. One wonders why this sudden concern for the fate of the people of Darfur, until one realizes that the region is rich in oil reserves, and that the China Petroleum Company owns many of the concessions there...

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Vanfeather, Vanrob at Jan 24, 2005 07:39 AM

“Relatively cheap” is important with regard to Canadian oil sands, as $20 difference in recovery costs means a lot when market price for crude is under $30, but as market price rises the tar sands would look better. Despite free trade there is still a “control” issue with Canadian tar sands. Potential still exists for some Canadian politician to do something “political”, and it would be hard to explain US troops shooting people that look the same as Americans. Oil in Middle East is easier to “control” since the average American has been conditioned to believe that Arabs are not “like us”, and hence military actions are efficient on a PR basis. I'm sure Iraq was supposed to be a wall-street type “takeover”, where some assets (oil) are sold to finance the adventure. In a takeover there are other assets not wanted that are liquidated, which is why I think the “war” could get a lot bloodier. Oil is key and the people are redundant, and if a credible study that suggests 100,000 people were killed in the invasion/occupation is ignored, then I can't see why the administration would be concerned about larger scale genocide.

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Allanpuzianowski, Someoilguy at Jan 23, 2005 23:14 PM

Persian Gulf oil is premium (light with a low sulphur content). This oil is referred to as “conventional oil”. Evidence suggests that the world conventional oil is declining. Other sources of petroleum exist. In Canada, the Athabasca bitumen deposit contains 3 trillion barrels of oil (300 billion is recoverable today). “Unconventional” oil is expensive whereas “conventional” oil is relatively cheap. Coal can be converted into liquid petroleum products but this is costly. Unconventional sources are usually sour (high sulphur content), require more energy to process, and expensive infrastructure to become a significant energy source. I wonder if anyone bothered to do a true cost/benefit analysis of using a large military force to conquer “cheap” oil supplies versus investing in technology to use domestic sources of “unconventional oil”, coupled with initiatives to reduce energy consumption or use other green energy sources. But, I believe that Noam Chomsky is correct when he says that the killing of even one human being to achieve security over oil supplies (that maintains our high lifestyles) is simply wrong from a standpoint of elementary morality.

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Mseiner1, Colorao at Jan 22, 2005 02:32 AM

Agent provocateur said: I had some respect for the constitution but now i see it is a piece of shit to be trampled on at will by those in power. We couldn't agree more. It isn't exactly a piece of shit but its definitely trampled on at will. As you know legitimacy is a power reserve, relying on a constitution gives you these reserves that serve as a buffer when things are not going well. But they can always be left aside for a move or two (in the "Power Game"). That is why some wars are legitimate and others aren't and the constitution is just one more gamepiece amidst the struggle in the power game. Oil and the Constitution are pretty good pieces to have, but they can be left aside for a while.

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Provocateur, Agent at Jan 21, 2005 19:41 PM

It is very, very, very troubling to me to note that no one in these threads has mentioned whether Congress will bother, as stipulated in the Constitution, to assert its authority to declare war (if we wage war against Iran) or just (unconstitutionally) delegate it to the President like in the Iraq debacle. These are very troubling times to think that the president can single-handedly usurp Congress' war powers. I know that presidents have usurped this authority in the past (Vietnam and Nicaragua, Panama, Cuba, etc.) But we are taking it for granted now more than ever. I had some respect for the constitution but now I see it is a piece of shit to be trampled on at will by those in power.

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Vanfeather, Vanrob at Jan 21, 2005 07:03 AM

Keep coming back to peak oil and “control” (use what you need, sell rest at market prices) versus “access” (pay market prices for what you need). Paying market prices would impact the US standard of living and who believes that would ever be allowed to occur. Iran1954 = access/profit Iran2005 = control. Also while most of the administration and others may believe the neocon fantasy of spreading “democracy”, have to believe there are reports and planning documents somewhere that are driven by expectations of the real oil crisis. In Iraq you get the overlap of the two agendas. Similarly, with Israel you get support of end-timers etc., but other supporters just want a nuclear outpost in the heart of oil land. Also wonder if US NEP documents were kept under cover not because of appearance of conflict of interest with energy company input, but because of peak oil/Iraq. Iraq was on radar screen long before 2001, and could be production/planning data in Energy Policy documents discuss peak oil, and that might cause appearance of conflict of interest in (totally unpredicted) “war” with Iraq.

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Maahaadave, Gurudave at Jan 21, 2005 01:45 AM

The American or British or French or whoever, if they are part of the "Brotherhood" of international finance, if you are part of the system run by the wealthiest people in the world, if you are invested in and are a supporter of the world economic order, if you are a part of the club, then you are allowed weapons and military and para-military as well as intel agencies. Why ? All of those military forces and intel orgs work for the same purpose and elites, they work for the international elites of finance. Any entity which is outside of the control and submission to, and avid supporter of the "Big Boys", those people are the main threat. They cannot have weapons, militaries, para militaries, intel agencies, nor any kind of wealth to build up those things. The U.S is the police force for the world finance lords. Their mission is to go from state to state and disarm and destroy any organization or state which resists assimiltion. Resistance is futile, we are the (Bilder)Borg.

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Maahaadave, Gurudave at Jan 21, 2005 01:35 AM

I dunno, I'm more and more seeing these things in a way that says: It's not about oil per se, it's about power, military or para military power. Why would multi billionaires care so much about squeezing a few extra dollars out of a scheme to control oil or markets ? Do they really fear they will lose their great fortunes ? No, their fears which are pushing them to do what they do, must be based on something other then wealth. What do the richest people in the world fear from others ? They can only fear a strong military or para-military or mafia type of organization with sufficient wealth and sophistication which can directly threaten them...physically. This is what drives American policy. The U.S can every kind of weapon in unlimited numbers, everyone else who is not partners with American investors, they cannot be allowed any kind of weapon that is a threat. cont.

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Paymane, Paymun at Jan 20, 2005 02:55 AM

My question is how far US is prepared to go to accomplish its objectives. Sure Iraq was defenseless and they knew it. I doubt Iran is going to have a better fate, if US launches the bombardment campaigne. However, I think Iranians do have a certain range of options available, and at the cost of serious carnage may be able to make this adventure seriously costly. So in the light of Hersh's article in Newyorker, the question stands. Will they do it? or as Hersh suggested they will resort to terrorism and sabotage, rather than full-scale invasion.

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Re: Control of Oil & World Power

By Shannon, James at Jan 19, 2005 00:16 AM

Oil Fuels the world. As 3rd world economies grow - and they surely will - the US will compete for OIL. IRAQ was about OIL. Shut off the OIL and watch the US economy dive into the worst depression ever. If you want to know about oil see http://www.hubbertpeak.com/campbell/Campbell_02-3.pdf http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/saudi.html http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/opec.html http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/libya.html http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/iraq.html

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