I heard a speech this morning about the humanitarian effects of the embargo on Iraq. While I agree the Iraqi citizens are suffering and the embargo has largely failed, I don’t think the embargo is the cause. Regardless of the amount of resources Iraq has, the government will always syphon off what it needs to further it’s militaristic aims. The embargo just has the effect of amplifying the humanitarian shortcomings and ironically gives Saddam something to complain about.
Ultimately, the syphoning process must be changed to achieve both goals of humanitarian rights and arms control.