major output, significant refineries, that could be a source of concern. as you might expect world oil markets react to any kind of instability in the middle east. one of our goals should be to make sure in cooperation with other countries in the region, not only are we creating some sort of a backstop in terms of what is happening inside of iraq but if there do end up being disruptions inside of iraq, some of the other producers in the gulf are able to pick up the slack. so that will be part of the consultations that will be taking place during the course of this week. just to give people a sense of timing here although events on the ground in iraq have been happening very quickly, our ability to plan whether military action or working with government of iraq on political
major output, significant refineries, that could be a source of concern. as you might expect, world oil markets react to any instability in the middle east. one of our goals should be to make sure that in cooperation with other countries in the region, not only are we creating some sort of back stop in terms of what s happening inside of iraq, but if they do ends up being disruptions inside iraq, then some of the other producers in the golf are able to pick up the slack. those are part of the conversations that will take place this week. to give people a sense of timing here, although events on the ground in iraq have been happening very quickly, our ability to plan whether it s military action or work with the iraqi government on some of these political issues is going to take several days. people should not anticipate
this isis stronghold. we cannot allow a permanent terrorist presence in the heart of mesopotamia. it would be devastating to the world oil markets. it would be a terrorist base from which they could launch attacks at europe and the united states. i don t think we should rush into a military option when the politics aren t settled yet. all right. thank you very much, colonel. appreciate your time tonight. pretty sobering words. still to come, who is responsible for the growing violence in iraq? well, there is a man at the helm here. you just heard the colonel talk about the marvelously planned assault, pretty incredible word to use. who is he? people are calling him the next bin laden. and then we ll take you to the world cup in brazil. our cnn colleagues injured today president seriously during the violent protests. we ll be right back. our best protection. it s a smooth and comfortable fit with more lycra strands. get your free sample at depend.com.
the report says the decades-old sanctions against iraq are keeping much of that country s oil from getting to western markets. the demand for world oil was so intense that you really needed to unlock all of the supply you could find. and at that time, the sense was that both iraq and iran were the two sources of really bottled up supply that was irrationally off world markets. another report reviewed by the task force just a few months later promises that iraqi reserves represent a major asset that can quickly add capacity to world oil markets. the report urges the u.s. government to conduct an immediate policy review toward iraq, including military assessments. all of this months before 9/11. i certainly wouldn t argue that iraq and the decision to go to war and oil were unrelated. ? nah, i m good.
sanctions against iraq with keeping much of that country s oil from getting to western markets. the demand for world oil was so intense that you really needed to unlock all of the supply you could find, and at that time, the sense was that both iraq and iran were the two sources of really bottled up supply that was irrationally off world markets. another report reviewed by the task force a few months later promises iraqi reserves represent a major asset that can quickly add capacity to world oil markets. the report urges the u.s. government to conduct an immediate policy review toward iraq, including military assessments. all of this months before 9/11. i certainly wouldn t argue that iraq and the decision to go