ISIS seizes key Iraq refinery

[whell]

Meanwhile, experts are revising down their forecasts for Iraqi oil production , amid fears the upsurge in violence will snuff out a revival of the country’s war-battered oil industry.

Baiji is one of the most important economic assets in the region and would be a key prize for Isis as it consolidates control of the territory seized in its lightning-fast campaign of the past two weeks.

With the fifth-largest proven oil reserves in the world, Iraq is a linchpin of global oil supplies. Its oil production hit 3.2m b/d last year, more than double the level it stood at during the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.

But there are grave concerns that the chaos in the country’s north could disrupt the country’s oil industry and potentially endanger Iraq’s 2.5m b/d of oil exports.


http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/41a98...#axzz34zTsqh1R

Maintaining stability in the Middle East is a key strategic issue not only for the US but for the rest of the world. If this continues, we'll certainly find out what "its all about the oil" really means.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by whell

... Maintaining stability in the Middle East is a key strategic issue not only for the US but for the rest of the world. If this continues, we'll certainly find out what "its all about the oil" really means.

What exactly are you advocating for?

JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING (The Borowitz Report)—Former Vice-President Dick Cheney broke his silence about the crisis in Iraq on Tuesday, telling reporters, “My thoughts and prayers are with the Iraqi oil wells.”

Speaking from his Wyoming ranch, Cheney said that he had planned to remain quiet about the current state of affairs in Iraq, but “thinking about those oil wells has kept me up at night.”

“If Dick Cheney won’t speak for the Iraqi oil wells, who will?” he said.

Cheney indicated that, as of now, there was no fighting near Iraq’s oil wells, but warned, “If the violence spreads, those wells could be in jeopardy. And it’s up to the international community to insure that that worst-case scenario doesn’t happen.”

The former Vice-President said that he expected to “catch hell” for inserting himself into the debate about Iraq, but was resolute in his decision to do so. “If I prevent one drop of precious oil from being spilled, it will have been worth it,” he said.

[whell]

Originally Posted by finnbow

What exactly are you advocating for?

Well, for starters, we've wasted years failing to create and pursue a coherent national energy policy, and left ourselves in the position of having a significant strategic interest in the outcome of events in the Middle East.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by whell

Well, for starters, we've wasted years failing to create and pursue a coherent national energy policy, and left ourselves in the position of having a significant strategic interest in the outcome of events in the Middle East.

Captain Obvious to the rescue.

[Fast_Eddie]

Originally Posted by whell

Well, for starters, we've wasted years failing to create and pursue a coherent national energy policy, and left ourselves in the position of having a significant strategic interest in the outcome of events in the Middle East.

Only because Republicans have blocked any effort to do so. But whatever.

[whell]

Originally Posted by Fast_Eddie

Only because Republicans have blocked any effort to do so. But whatever.

That's almost funny. Thanks for the almost grin.

[Fast_Eddie]

Originally Posted by whell

That's almost funny. Thanks for the almost grin.

You're almost welcome.

[MrPots]

Originally Posted by finnbow

What exactly are you advocating for?

JACKSON HOLE, WYOMING (The Borowitz Report)—Former Vice-President Dick Cheney broke his silence about the crisis in Iraq on Tuesday, telling reporters, “My thoughts and prayers are with the Iraqi oil wells.”

.

Jesus...what a dick...literally....

Doesn't give a shit about the Iraqi people, just the oil wells.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by MrPots

Jesus...what a dick...literally....

Doesn't give a shit about the Iraqi people, just the oil wells.

The Borowitz Report is a spoof.

[Ike Bana]

Originally Posted by finnbow

The Borowitz Report is a spoof.

Well...there are spoofs and then there are spoofs that provide a comedic representation of reality. This spoof would be one of the latter.