Look at it as a Chess Game: Before IRAQ war: (1)US Bases in Germany. (2)Germany, France, and USRR with oil interest in IRAQ. (3)US has limited control of Mid East oil supply. After IRAQ war: (1)No need for US Bases in Germany. (2)US Bases now in IRAQ. (3)US controls IRAQ oil. (4)US controls Mid East oil supply.