Controlling Iraq’s Oil: Not So Easy

Though the countries opposing the war in Iraq may have valid moral or ideological reasons behind their position, they also have trade ties to the country that might be threatened by a war. The US, on the other hand, may have economic interests driving it to push for an invasion of Iraq. America's motivations certainly may include security concerns, but the prospect of gaining a private gas pump is also tantalizing. Countries such as Russia, which has a long-term oil deal with Iraq, are stuck opposing a war that may increase Iraq’s oil output (and thus decrease oil prices), even though achieving stability in the region would help all investment interests. For these countries, "the risk of ending up on the wrong side of Washington and of whatever government it supports in Iraq ultimately leaves no real alternative but to fall in line behind the United States. So their tactic, at the United Nations and other forums, is to do what they can to impress their national interests on Washington, and to press as hard as they can for Washington not to go it alone." - YaleGlobal