On behalf of the citizens of this great (sic) empire, I would like to welcome the people of Iraq into our fold!

Now that Iraqi president Jalal Talabani is in talks with the World Bank to finance Iraq's reconstruction, we can officially declare, mission accomplished! According to the linked article,

Talabanireceived President of the World Bank Robert Zoellick in Kuwait anddiscussed the necessary steps that must be taken to start rebuildingIraq ... agro-industrial and trade projects ... broad lines to upgrade the economy and carry out strategicprojects ... privatization and economic reformby encouraging the private sector under the free market principle

If the incoming Obama administration plays this like other IMF/World Bank initiatives under Clinton (you know, the model for South America that worked out so well), then we can anticipate a great investment opportunity for American business and the real pillaging can begin.

Here how it could play out, roughly:

First, in order to qualify for their IMF loan, Iraq will be forced to privatize important business sectors, even those that are traditionally public in some form, like electricity, water, sewage, etc. There will be a large discussion over the oil industry, naturally. Even though Iraq may succeed in retaining public control over its oil wealth, they will be forced to concede to certain agreements relating to the supply of that oil.

Then, because the privatization agreement with the World Bank will include provisions to allow for up to %100 foreign ownership, international conglomerates will swoop in to scoop up that ownership to derive profits directly from the Iraqi people for their water, food, and clothing. The oil Iraq provides will continue to ensure the cheap transportation infrastructure to support the centralization of production elsewhere.

If this goes well, then Iraq becomes a productive member of the empire, providing oil and natural gas resources to Syria, Jordan and Israel in direct competition with a diminished OPEC and thus strengthening the infrastructural base of our western beachhead.

If it goes poorly, we shall see a renewed insurgency there in short order, the army will be called up to quell that outlying province in likely disregard for the Status of Forces Agreement, and the brutal saga of America's adventures in the middle east will continue.

We know Obama has promised to remove combat forces as quickly as possible, but that designation has always been fluid. Aside from the troops, the empire is now faced with a delicate political situation involving the barely-quelled Iraqi nationalists, Iran's strong influence within Talabani's government. As American money leaves the coffers of local militants and Iraq's economy becomes saddled with the burden of bearing the American Free (sic) Market without earning any benefit, how will the Iraqi people respond?

I can almost hear the cries of "ungrateful Iraqis" now...