This work delves into the complex history of US involvement in Iraq, revealing the deep roots of American military campaigns since the Vietnam War. It challenges the conventional narratives of promoting democracy and national interests, instead uncovering the underlying motivations behind US intervention. The author interlaces the histories of Arab nationalists, US diplomats, and oil executives, focusing on the Iraq Petroleum Company and the resilience of Iraqi society. Utilizing new evidence, including private records of the IPC, interviews with influential figures in Arab oil politics, and recently declassified documents, the narrative spans the twentieth century—from the IPC's origins before WWI and the decline of the British Empire to the rise of covert US actions and the nationalization of Iraq's oil industry. The book argues that Cold War-era policymakers inherited the imperial anxieties of their British predecessors, leading to a "paranoid style" in US foreign policy characterized by exaggerated concerns over oil access and scarcity. By deconstructing these policy practices, the author reveals how they have driven decades of American interventions in the region, illuminating aspects of history that are often overlooked by those shaping US foreign policy.
