28 November 2024
What were the true objectives of the Iraq war, according to Ray?
Ray has repeatedly affirmed that the true motivations behind the Iraq War were multifaceted, centering on oil, support for Israel, and the establishment of U.S. military bases in the Middle East. He encapsulates this perspective with the acronym "OIL":
O for Oil: Securing control over Iraq's vast oil reserves.
I for Israel: Bolstering the security interests of Israel in the region.
L for Logistics: Establishing permanent U.S. military bases to project power throughout the Middle East.
McGovern has been a vocal critic of the intelligence used to justify the invasion, asserting that it was manipulated to support predetermined policy goals. He emphasises that the war was not about weapons of mass destruction or spreading democracy, but was driven by strategic interests in oil, regional dominance, and support for allied nations.
In his activism, McGovern has consistently repeated these points, arguing that the Iraq War was a "war of aggression" and a violation of international law. He has called for accountability for those who orchestrated the war under what he considers false pretenses.
McGovern's insights are informed by his 27-year career at the CIA, where he served under seven presidents and was involved in preparing the President's Daily Brief. His post-retirement work has focused on advocating for integrity in intelligence and foreign policy.
