To the Point
Was the Iraq War about Oil After All?
Saddam Hussein kicked the big western oil companies out of Iraq in 1972. Now they're back, with no-bid service contracts that will put them inside Iraq's redeveloping industry. Will increased Iraqi production help postpone an energy crisis? Will US troops remain for security? Is that what the war in Iraq is really about? Also, another bad round of news on the economy, and myth and history in Homer's Odyssey.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenSaddam Hussein kicked the big western oil companies out of Iraq in 1972. Now they're back, with no-bid service contracts that will put them inside Iraq's redeveloping industry. Will increased Iraqi production help postpone an energy crisis? Will US troops remain for security? Is that what the war in Iraq is really about? Also, another bad round of news on the economy, and
Odyssey.
In this episode
3 storiesAnother Round of Bad News on the Economy
Home prices in twenty major cities are now back where they were in 2004, according to Standard & Poor's. Last month's Consumer Confidence Index dropped like a stone. The Conference Board Consumer Research Center says the "silver lining" may be that it's nearing rock bottom. Kelly Evans covers the economy for the Wall Street Journal .
Read the story6 minWas the Iraq War about Oil after All?
Iraq has the fourth largest known oil reserves in the world. Big western oil companies were in charge of development until 1972, when Saddam Hussein seized their assets and threw them out of the country. Now, 36 years later, the big Western oil companies are coming back.
Read the story35 minThe Real Eclipse in the 'The Odyssey' Myth
According to Homer, it took the Odysseus ten years to get home to Greece after the Trojan War some 3000 years ago. Upon arriving, he had to kill off a crowd of rowdy suitors vying for the hand of his wife, all presuming him dead.
Read the story8 min
