Happy National Sovereignty Day, suckers.
Today is the day that Iraqis celebrate freedom from American military rule of their cities (1), and the day multinational corporations celebrate the auction of rights to what promise to be the second-most productive oil fields in the world (2).
Blood for oil, oil for blood, tra-la-la-la-la.
1. “More than 120,000 American troops remain on Iraqi soil. There were no official documents signed between the countries and no handover of authority on Tuesday” (NYT).
2. It’s been 40 years since they’ve had a taste of sweet Iraqi crude, and they’re as fervent as born-again virgins. NPR reports:
The oil companies are so eager for a crack at Iraq’s vast oil wealth that they are willing to overlook some big negatives: It’s a country still at war. There’s a lot of political opposition to foreign oil companies. There’s no guarantee the contracts awarded at this auction will even be honored. And yet, more than 30 companies submitted bids.
Big Oil has not had an opportunity like this for decades.
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The Great American Cooking Project
Notes from others: