i'm sure the first replies will involve source questioning (or attacking the messenger), but here goes
http://www.harpers.org/BaghdadYearZero.html
the concerns I have, if this is factual, and other thoughts are..
#1 - wouldn't the rapid change in the economic system be one thing which caused some of the violence in Iraq? (i'm not justifying it or anything.. but.. rapid economic upheaval isn't that far from rapid social upheaval, which is also worse in a lot of these countries)
#2 - How much of a good track record was there for selling off formerly government owned businesses? Russia sounds like it's pretty much dirt poor these days. The article claims Bremer didn't get all the privatization done though.
#3 - While transitioning away from the Baathist economic system is probably a good idea, how fast is too fast? What's a good pace to set to move to at least a capitalistic form of government
#4 - Do we expect these business-friendly conditions to eventually help Iraqis in the pursuit of the almighty dinar? (sorry if I screwed up the name of the Iraqi currency)
#5 - this may cover more than just oil when it comes to the "We went to war for the oil" talk.. we'll have to see
there might be some holes in this.. but it's not the most helpful sign of affairs.
I'll let the reactions, quoting and messenger attacking commence