Linda McQuaig
When Americans want something that lies in another country, the consequences for that other country can be severe.
Even if they don’t actually invade, they put a lot of pressure on lesser countries to behave as they want.
Canada, for instance, hasn’t been invaded by the United States since 1812, but Ottawa has proved highly co-operative with Washington’s desire to have access to our oil. We are America’s Number 1 supplier.
Pressure for Canadian acquiescence in servicing America’s apparently bottomless energy appetite is only going to get more intense, as fresh panic sweeps across America over skyrocketing oil prices and supply insecurity. Oddly, the Bush administration continues to flirt with the idea of making oil supplies even more insecure by launching a military strike against Iran.