Iraq thinking of joining a union with neighbors

I think it's their right to run their country the way they see fit. It's also more evidence that we need to cut our dependency on their oil fast. The fastest and best way is to drill more oil domestically, build more nuclear power plants and develop the other energy sources to make them more viable. Then we won't have to worry... or even care, what they do.

Well, I don't blame them. Well functioning unions can be quite powerful. But they have to deal with a lot of regional egos. That's one of the reasons why this didn't happen before. It'll be interesting to see, how this will work out and whether it will even last, lol. Yes, they could exercise some control over oil prices, so does OPEC. Mainly this is about trying to become more powerful as a region in the grand scheme of world things and to fend of outside influence namely the US whose position as a world power is perceived by many as fading, especially since the economy tanked. The outcome for the US would be loss of influence in the region. The union countries would be forced to ally themselves with their member rather than with the US as it usually happened in the past. Trade options will be reduced and US influence on Iraq.. well you can forget about it. Ultimately, it might also cost some trade $$. So, for the region probably a good thing, if they can make it work. For the US not necessarily. Depends on how the union is established, how it is used, and how well they deal with countries outside the union, especially the US.

My first impression is that it could be good.. Could be a healthy development.. Hopefully for business and resources, and dealing and coping in adult reasonable fashion, and not become any sort of war machine.. But sometimes this world and all nations seems to have earnestly entered the twilight zone, where honesty and good intentions are a thing of the past, if they ever did coexist somewhere among all the devious intentions..

It will certainly be good for THEM and they certainly have every right to form such a union. It may NOT be so good for us depending on what we do from now on. It could be enough incentive for us to do more to free ourselves of our dependency on foreign oil and for us to work harder on improving our "reputation" with that part of the world. I'm not talking about "appeasing our enemies" or "giving in to terrorists" but simply using diplomacy instead of threats and actual aggression. Maybe once the "cowboys" are out of office that will happen. Annie

I think that this would be a positive thing for Iraq politically and economically. As a previous poster said, Iraq is already a part of OPEC and I don't think this has anything to do with oil.