I’ve been reading about Iraq after American combat troops were withdrawn in December 2011, and it isn’t a pleasant story. Almost 1,000 people have been killed in September 2013 in Iraq “…as car bombs have become a near daily occurrence in a country seeing its worst surge of violence in five years.” Iraqi civilians have been “…caught in a resurgence of al-Qaeda terrorism that has been growing since the United States pulled out forces two years ago.”

There is good economic news while terrorism is increasing. An article reports that Iraq has been rapidly expanding oil production. The increase in oil being produced in Iraq is likely to complicate OPEC’s efforts to influence world prices. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Malaki leads a Shiite-dominated coalition that has close ties with Iran, and Iraq is officially backing Iran’s push to set lower production limits to keep oil prices high. However, it is countermanding Iran’s desires by expanding oil production. “Iraq recently reached production of 3 million barrels per day, a level not seen since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. It is on track to become OPEC’s second largest producer in the coming year, surpassing Iran and trailing only Saudi Arabia.”  It is estimated that Iraq could double production, which is the basis for the predictions of Iraq’s increasing influence on OPEC and the world.

Terrorism in Iraq is no longer justified by the presence of foreign soldiers and the country has developed new economic power.  Perhaps that will lead the country to want to expel al-Qaeda and begin to enjoy prosperity. There is no doubt American blood and treasure gave the citizens of Iraq the chance to escape from a brutal dictatorship and develop a constitution that was based on democracy. No matter what you think of the wisdom or legality of the invasion by U.S. soldiers, it is sad to think that wonderful opportunities might be wasted.