I've Flipped My Lid

Sunset is one of my favorite times. I often sit out on my front porch as the darkness falls and watch the lights come on up and down the street. There always seems to be a quietness, a peacefulness as the sun goes down.
I was sitting out at sunset the other evening when Max Angst came down the street and turned in at my house. He seldom does that.
“What brings you here, Max?”
“I’m going crazy, Art. I’m certain I’ve flipped my lid and I need to talk to someone about it. You’ve been elected.”
“What the matter, Max? How can I help you?”
“Art, you know I’ve been against the war in Iraq from its inception. I’ve written God knows how many letters to the Editor, to Congressmen, to Senators opposing the war.”
“You sure have. You convinced me the United States should not have invaded Iraq.”
“ Art, I was wrong.”
“Oh Boy! What makes you say that, Max.”
“You know I’m always reading. My reading has made me rethink the situation. Mainly, it has to do with adding China to the mix. China was never considered when I made my earlier analyses of the US invasion of Iraq..”
“How does China fit in?”
“Art, you’re aware of just how spectacularly the Chinese economy has grown over the last fifteen years. In 1990 China was neither a military or economic concern for the United States. Today that’s no longer true. Economically we’re competing with China across the globe, often unsuccessfully. China’s economic success has given it the wherewithal to build its military to where in a few years it will pose a threat. Another aspect of this situation is the supply of oil available to the world. Not long ago it seemed there was more oil than we’d ever need. If supply would become a problem it would be a long time off. That is no longer true. The demand for oil has spread across the world. New areas like China, India and Indonesia are strongly active in the oil market and the US and Europe have increased oil requirements.. The discovery of new oil sources has diminished and many experts say the supply of oil has peaked and in the not too distant future supply may not meet demand. Everyone is competing for the oil the US thought it had a sole claim to. China is maneuvering to get Iraq’s oil.

“What do you mean? It surely can’t invade Iraq. We’re there.”
“Suppose we pull out of Iraq, Art. The country will fall under control of the majority Shiites. The Shiites are allied with the Shiite government of Iran. You’re aware of the conflict between Iran and the US. China has been supporting Iran. If the US pulls out of Iraq, you can bet that China will end up with the Iraqi oil. I’ve read that that supply is the biggest undeveloped pool of oil in the world. Another thing I’ve read is that Saddam Hussein was beginning to make deals with China in 2002 which could well have been the reason for the US invasion. Art, if China ends up with Iraqi oil the US could go down the tubes.”
“Still it involves the invasion of a sovereign country. The oil belongs to Iraq and we don’t have the right to go in and take it, Max.”
“Even if our survival depends on it?”
“Geez”
“Art, we’re living in a new world, a world where the entire planet has to be considered in making our decisions. What’s right and what’s wrong in that setting? Do we consider the nation state in the same light as in the past? There’s also the consideration that much of this has to do with interests of the investing class and they certainly have gone beyond considering the nation state. Do you see why I’m upset, Art. I’m not sure what’s right and what’s wrong in this mess. Ir scares me.
“Just one thought Max. The leaders of China are not dismissing the nation state. They’re doing everything they can to make China come out on top.”