Behind the Invasion of Iraq

A good set of insights for the time. Would be good to see if these guys have any follow up in light of events since, and see how they update and adapt their views in light of any new information.

This short book carefully and clearly explains why the US *has* to turn Iraq into a colony. The book begins with a brief history of Iraq in the modern era, then turns to US attacks on Iraq since the 1980s. In the final section, the authors tie the need for oil to the capitalist economies in the Western world --- without "our" oil under "their" desert, our economy doesn't work.For anyone interested in understanding the current war --- or those interested in a quick introduction to US imperialism --- this book is highly recommended.

Reading this thoroughly researched, clearly argued volume was a revelation. For the first time I understood the entire spectrum of motives behind the US invasion. Since reading it, I've discovered a new ability to discern the meaning behind the headlines. I should add -- though it's sad to say so -- that events since its publication have in all cases confirmed its analysis and predictions.Must read.

The Research Unit for Political Economy (R.U.P.E.), located Bombay India is a registered public trust. It operates on voluntary labor and limited finances raised from personal contributions. It is not associated or influenced by any political wing of India or any other country.RUPE analyses theoretical and empirical levels of various aspects of the economic life of India and its institutions. The journal published by them does an excellent job to present esoteric information in a simple manner to enable people to understand the actual mechanics of their every day economic life. Behind the Invasion of Iraq is an exception to their usual array of topics published in their journal titled "Aspects of India's Economy". They have done an excellent job in presenting a comprehensive view of the invasion of Iraq. I feel the book is great because unlike conspiracy theory books, RUPE states facts and also quotes the sources from where it gathered the information. Hence this is factual eye opener rather than speculation. I feel this is one of the few books that have done justice to put different pieces of the puzzle (economics, finance, foreign exchange and military invasions) together with historically correct data. Now an average person on the street will have an understanding of global politics and its ramifications on their life. This book has also been commended on many military intelligence websites. No doubt it is well-researched publication.

"This book contributes significantly to the conversation seeking to understand the international forces at play in the threatening war on Iraq." - NELSON MANDELA"Behind the Invasion of Iraq . . . synthesizes the seemingly disparate threads of the US war drive in a blistering indictment of American foreign policy . . . The effect is of puzzle pieces clicking into place." - COUNTERPUNCHSince September 11, 2001, there have been many accounts of the ways in which the alignment of global power is changing or will be changed by the U.S. "war on terrorism." Most of them take as their starting point the options facing the wealthy and powerful nations of the world seeking to control an ever larger share of the world's resources. Behind the Invasion of Iraq is written from a different perspective, and one that makes possible a far more comprehensive point of view.Its authors, the Research Unit for Political Economy, based in Mumbai, India, are rooted in the politics of a Third World country which has long been on the receiving end of imperialist power. As a consequence, they have a more sober view of the workings of global power. In clear and accessible prose, weighing the evidence carefully and tracing events to their root causes, they move beyond moral outrage to a clear view of the process being set in motion by the U.S. led invasion of Iraq. They show that the invasion of Iraq is a desperate gamble by a section of American capital to secure their hold on power that is driven by the wish to stave off economic crisis through military means. Their efforts will not end with Iraq, but will require the recolonization of the Middle East.Behind the Invasion of Iraq exposes the idea that war will bring democracy to the middle East as so much propaganda. In a context where so many rulers are themselves clients of the United States, the war is aimed not at the rulers but at the masses of ordinary people whose hostility to imperialism has not been broken even by corrupt and autocratic rulers. This book describes the remaking of global power with a truly global awareness of what is at stake.Table of ContentsPreface 1. Introduction2. Western Imperialism and IraqFrom Colony to Semi-ColonyTowards NationalizationThe Iran-Iraq WarThe Torment of IraqReturn of Imperialist Occupation3. The Real Reasons for the Invasion of Iraq-and BeyondThe Current Strategic Agenda of the United StatesHome Front in ShamblesMilitary Solution to an Economic Crisis4. Rehabilitating ColonialismNotesIndex