You are Mr. 34 years in the industry. I can't possibly have a resume that competes with yours.

And again I laugh

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.

Because I provide very clear and specific answers to your questions, while you characteristically duck, bob, weave and spin when any are posed to you. (See the Maliki thread if you can take time away from you important oil industry duties).

So now here goes, I will answer you points. And you will not reciprocate.

"- A foreign country with no access to the operation can effect what flows through pipelines over which it has no control"

So, you are saying that the US has no control over what goes on in Iraq? Sounds then like we can't possibly be winning. Why were the museums and most public institutions looted, but the oil ministry securely gaurded and untouched. Hmmm.

- A foreign country whose oil companies are not represented as partners or operators can influence production in oilfields over which they have no control.

Again with the "No control"? If you don't think that big-oil campaign money has any effect on how the US government formulates and implements its foreign affairs, you are hoplessly naive.