Sanctions Cripple Russian Oil, U.S. Economy, Just Not the War
Lukoil's declaration of 'force majeure' at Iraq's West Qurna-2 oilfield, as reported by Al-Monitor (via Reuters), is framed as a direct consequence of Western sanctions, halting payments and operations. Ostensibly, this is a win for 'democratic values' and a blow to the Kremlin's war chest. Yet, the narrative conveniently sidesteps who rushes in to fill the void when oil prices surge and Russian
companies withdraw. These sanctions, often championed by policymakers who receive substantial campaign contributions from the defense and energy sectors, effectively re-route global energy flows. While Lukoil faces hurdles, the usual suspects—Western energy giants and their political enablers—are perfectly positioned to capitalize on the ensuing market volatility and reduced competition. It's not
just about kneecapping a geopolitical adversary; it's about reshaping global markets to benefit entrenched interests. The war machine, after all, runs on oil, and sanctioned oil from one source often means more lucrative contracts for others.