In this photo taken Monday, May 11, 2009, Iraqi and U.S. army soldiers fire a mortar round during a military exercise in Latifiyah, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq. The fall in oil prices is threatening Iraq's efforts to build a military capable of defending the country, raising the possibility that the Iraqis will need substantial U.S. help for years after the Americans leave by 2012. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)From Yahoo News/AP:
BAGHDAD – Lower oil prices are threatening Iraq's efforts to build a military capable of defending the country, raising the possibility that the Iraqis will need substantial U.S. help for years after the Americans leave by 2012.
The budget crunch not only affects ground forces that bear the brunt of the fight against Sunni and Shiite extremists — it also slows development of an air force capable of defending the skies and a navy able to protect vital oil exporting facilities in the Persian Gulf from terror attacks.
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My Comment: Even if the price of oil goes down .... which I doubt .... the Iraqi Government will still spend the money and (if necessary) go into debt to rebuild and equip a national army. The Iraqis have learn through bitter experience what happens if they do not have a professional army in the wings..