I think that we may both have politics in our blood. Except, mine also extends to geo-political considerations.
In a separate HC posting last weekend (14/9), I commented on some aspects of the real target in the Middle East. An extract of that posting, is below:
"SO, WHO IS THE NEXT TARGET?:
"In a post-war Middle East, Iraq may well be the physical target (ie: to remove President Hussein, restore democracy, control the oil fields, etc). But, the real target (politically, and strategically) is Saudi Arabia.
"The West are determined to reduce their over-riding dependence on Saudi Arabia (in terms of oil, control over the strategic Red Sea, and its geo-political juxta-position to the Middle East equation).
"A future Saudi Arabia may well be at risk of internal civil war, internal dissent, etc. But, a post-wat, supportive Iraq will ensure that: 1) the current dependence on Saudi oil is reduced; 2) back-up alternatives exist to the possible dis-integration of Saudi Arabia; 3) maintaining the status quo in the Middle East; and 4) contributing to resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian question."
......
But, as for fuelling a domestic economic recovery on the back of war, that is something that I do not even subscribe to (sceptical, or otherwise).
The USA does not need for this to occur. It already has one of the fastest growing populations in the world, with a current demographic of 280m, extending out to between 400 -500m by 2040. This would make the US much larger than Europe on a comparative basis, and a much more significant global economic force than what it already is.
So, does the US need a war? Hopefully, not. But, in any event, was it really a question of war in 1991 that brought about global economic prosperity, or was it the restoration of peace in the Middle East?
Throughout history, however, all wars have been fought for one or more of 3 things: 1) religious domination or control; 2) political domination or control; and /or 3) economic domination or control.
So, as much as the Iraqi's may proffer 1), they really mean 2) and 3), and a much as the coalition forces may seek the restoration of peace and balnce to the Middle East, the consequences of this will be 2) and 3).
The DOW Futures may well be part of twilight's last gleaming, but just perhaps they may also be reflective of everyone's fervent desires - peace.
