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The objectives are many - the target one. The sanctions arc harsh, enforcement strict, and
the motive « formidable, for their aim is to reduce Iraq economically and strategically
into a 'goodfor-nothing' entity. The Americans are pursuing a policy which says 'don't kill,
just destroy'. Sounds grisly, but that is US-Iraq relations, where the former has no
intention of softening its rigid posture of sanctions over Iraq, given the hitter's track
record of 'forever rising beyond itself.'

That Saddam Hussein is a power hungry dictator, lusting after regional hegemony, is a
time-tested reality. He, therefore, incites sentiment in the democratic institutions obsessed
with freedom in the US. That he is prompted by economic avarice to partake of the
affluence of oil rich neighbours is evident. But there have been reason for the General's
expansionist moves which require brief analysis, before the basis of US role in the
scenario can be laid. For Iraq, internal issues have been an impetus for expansion. If you
study the conflict between Iraq and Kuwait that led to war you will find that Iraq was
justified.

The huge costs of reconstruction, resulting from the IranIraq war, the demands of the
Iraqi economy, plus the overenthusiastic military expending by Saddam which
surpassed the incoming domestic revenues led the leader to look for 'other' means of
increasing domestic revenue. In this context, the income afforded by.Kuwait, the prospect
of exerting leverage over Saudi Arabia, and influencing world oil prices by the
direct/indirect control of these areas offered a tempting target for Saddam. The man factor
behind Iraq's expansionist frenzy has been the acquisition of as much 'oil revenue' as
possible. While Iraq's crusade was to acquire control over oil rich areas, if we draw
parallels, we see hat now US sanctions over Iraq have been motivated by the same
magical letters that spell O-I-L. The ways employed may be different, but the underlying
aim is the same, that being.... access to oil, as much of it.

One misconception needs to be redressed right away, that being that the US role in the
Gulf is far from a mere concern for the

Arab world. The US, we know, is not a philanthropic state exercising mere protection
based on goodwill in the area. In reality, US insistence on economic sanctions vis-a-vis
Iraq indicate that the •state has a large stake in this lucrative belt.

To start with, is the question of energy security. The US is heavily dependent on oil, and
more so, ever since erstwhile oil exporters like Nigeria and Algeria have started
consuming more and exporting less. So, while the US is in quest of oil repositories, the
Gulf appears to be a God-Send at this point in time.

Iraq's place in global oil system is significant. It is second to Saudi Arabian in oil
production. Set against a world total of just under thousand billion barrels, Saudis hold 26
per cent, followed by Iraq's 10 per cent and UAE, Kuwait, Iran constituting the rest of the
East's reservoir of oil. Thus, needless to say, this belt is of strategic importance to oil
seekers, and America must be feeling triumphant to have seized the opportunity resulting
from the Gulf crisis, to station forces in the oil heartland.

What was an apparent folly of Iraq has proved no less than a blessing for America-Saudi
Arabia. Had Saddam immediately penetrated the latter after annexing Kuwait, America
would have found no focal point to engineer moves of counter attack and subsequent
monitoring over Iraq. Also, it would have given Saddam .access over 56% of world oil,
enabling him not only to have control over the fuel, but with the influx of oil revenue he
would have been able to purchase modern technology, arms and nuclear capacity. He
would have tampered with oil prices as well ... a fear that jolts America till today.

So far, US is in the driving seat, firmly latching Iraq to the economic sanctions' belt, the
effect has been Iraq's indebtedness, financial starvation, oil export blockade, which is all
aimed at maiming Iraq to such an extent that it cannot reassert strength in the region. The
US, thus, ensures that Iraq would be unable to threaten the regional status quo or have
any say in stipulating policies in the Persian Gulf oil regime. It gives US the opportunity,
in the meanwhile, to continue milking the Gulf states of oil on reasonable conditions.

What US sanctions has done is quintessentially to destroy the basic strengths that made
Iraq a potent Asian entity. Iraq's military superiority has been annihilated by massive air-
raids and stipulation as 'no-fly /one' in strategic areas. Once an impressive indicator, the
economy is in shackles, thanks to the UN sanctions, contained in Articles 660-670,
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collaborate with the 'aggressor,' economically, militarily or on other diplomatic basis. The
third strength of Iraq, its stable political milieu, has come under incessant criticism. But
though US hates Saddam, She enjoys his company! The reason being that Saddam is an
adversary the US has now learnt to read Through him, US can impose the 'Dual
Containment Policy'. In the polemic personality of Saddam, US can control the Gulf, as
Syria is averse to him, and the neighbouring Arabs are fearful of his ambitious
expansionist streak.
- This threat then sends them scurrying for protection towards the big Godfather, which
gladly spreads out a security canopy over their heads-with minimal gains of course!
Important are Saddam's own religious affiliations which are, by the way, not Islamic.
Himself hailing from the Baa'thist Party, US would hate to admit, but Saddam is a 'lesser
evil'. A more Islam-oriented leader would want an Islamic bloc, Shi'ite representative
might ally with the Iranians. So far, USA's enmity with Saddam is over ambition, not
ideology, which suits the hegemony.

American forces patrol Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, acting as regional policemen. They are
there to curb Iraq, protect the 'defenceless' neighbours and give a very important message
to the world community ~ that the USA is the sole hegemony of the. Unipolar milieu. It is
a covert hint that no country will be allowed to dominate the Persian Gulf. Reason? No
one should be allowed to challenge US's baby, Israel. With Iraq firmly chained, and the
Arab world won over by a US mediated PLO-Israeli rapprochement (Oslo Peace
Process), US has made sure Arabs don't unite against Israel.

When George Bush attained success vis-a-yis Iraq, he became an overnight hero at home.
The subsequent government is thus under pressure to continue the legacy of Iraqi
suppression and keep domestic forces content. Besides, by curbing Iraq, US makes sure
that the former does not use its leverage over oil to coerce defence or foreign policies of
other states.

US continued imposition of economic sanctions over Iraq are geared at preventing the
country from using any oil revenues to launch military exercises, along with discouraging
other arms manufacturing countries from seeking markets for exports of military
hardware or nuclear know-how. As it is, USA is concerned over Iraq's existing defence
capability, coupled with leakage of technology from outside, particularly Russia.

But though US is eager to continue with economic sanctions, the circumspect. There is
ever growing concern over the suffering of Iraqi civilians. The Arab world is particularly
concerned, with Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Iran launching campaigns against US sanctions. It
is due to the concern of the international community that the 'food-for-oil' agreement
between Iraq and the world has materialised - at least on paper, as yet.

In summation, US continued economic sanctions are based on self-interest. They hinge

on the containment of Iraq with a maintenance of Pro-US lobby of Persian Gulf States.
This, it is assumed, will give unimpeded access to the West to Gulf oil By playing up Iraq
as the regional devil, US hopes to strengthen ties with Saudi, reminding it that it needs
constant protection. By staying in the heart of the Islamic hinterland of Gulf, US ensures
that Islamic extremism is contained. It is interesting how the US is promoting its culture
and media in these countries, which I believe, is a form of deliberate cultural imperialism
aimed at moderating Islam. By being there, they are ending up creating a back lash
against their presence.

However, it appears that US will find it difficult to continue with its rigid economic
sanctions over Iraq in view of the brewing Arab hostility. Another concern for the Arab
states is that US continued duress against Iraq has made it incapable of containing Iran,
which is growing ever powerful, posting additional threats. Anti-American sentiment in
the Gulf has begun to emerge, which can be realised by the recent attacks on US forces in
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, early this year. America aims at continuing economic '
sanctions. These are surely self-motivated but now, it appears that the winds of change
are blowing opposite Unites States. To stay put, it will have'to- hang o, hard, real hard ...
or it will be blown away, buoyed by the rippling waves of the Gulf, washed ashore the
Pacificon the other side ... where in really belongs!