[WhiteGuy]

Russia would control their oil.................

The control of Iraqi oil has had very little effect on the oil supplies to the US for the past 10 years, American oil companies buy most of their barrels from sources other than Iraq.

But the control of the oil profits from iraqi oil fields IS the key factor, if the author's assertion is to be believed...................

[Tallguy]

But the control of the oil profits from iraqi oil fields IS the key factor, if the author's assertion is to be believed...................

Iraqi oil was largely off the market, with the exception of the corrupt Oil-for-Food Program and some smuggling. It was in Russia's interests as an oil exporter to keep it that way. It was also in French interests as the administrator & chief banker for the Oil-for-Food program.

The world couldn't go much longer with Iraqi oil reserves off the market. The recovering world economy was going to make existing supplies tight. With Saddam in power, Iraqi oil would have been converted to weaponry and nobody would have been safe. Saddam had to go.