| @dljessup: Iraq's oil infrastructure problems go back way further than the current war. From 1980-88, infrastructure suffered heavily in Iraq's war with Iran. After the Iraqi annexation of Kuwait in August 1990, the UN imposed trade sanctions, banning most trade with Iraq; in early 1991, most of the oil infrastructure was bombed as part of Desert Storm. The sanctions continued until after the 2003 invasion, though some export of oil was allowed after 1996 to allow Iraq to buy food; but Iraq had no money to rebuild its infrastructure. What was left, after twenty years of damage and neglect, was not damaged much during the 2003 invasion. |