France has had hundreds of military actions in Western Africa since she formerly ended her empire in the 60's. In fact- France is still a colonial power in Western Africa- except the people don't get the benefit of her rule of law- just wichever thug they support at the moment. That France is a deeply corrupt nation with an inflated sense of herself is not in question. But I have a problem with us not seeing why France and other nations would not suspect our intentions in occupying a nation that sits on the second largest oil reserve in the world. Of course they would! I understand your feelings. But emotion must be jettisoned in international matters. Nations have no "friends" and "gratitude" is a dog's disease.
Burkeman1 writes;But I have a problem with us not seeing why France and other nations would not suspect our intentions in occupying a nation that sits on the second largest oil reserve in the world.
Well, sure and they would suspect that first, because it is what they would do!
It is true. Iraq has buckets and buckets of oil.
Now ask yourself this: if it were true that we were interested in the oil, i can think of a much cheaper, more cynical and evil way to get it: throw the Israelis to the wolves!
If we did that, would we not get all of the oil we wanted for cheap?
And yet we do not!
Instead, President Bush and Mr. Blair choose to remain steadfast to our friends the Israelis!
(Whom I personally believe are the only decent human beings in the be-nighted Middle East!)
I am sure that you have noted the rampent anti-Semetism running through Europe at the moment: this isn't the first time that France has sided with Islam or the Nazis for money. ....>p? tia