Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari, in Washington on an official visit, said Monday that larger U.S. firms were waiting for more security before entering the market.

Zebari noted that Turkish and Russian companies were already active in Iraq. "They take risks," he told USA TODAY in an interview. "No pain, no gain."

Many of the companies active in Iraq now are from countries, including France, Russia and Turkey, that did not send combat troops to back the U.S.-led invasion.

Some U.S. and Iraqi officials say American companies risk losing an early opportunity to establish long-term strategic ties with Iraq.

"My question is, 'Where are you guys in terms of investment, in terms of economic engagement?' " said Naufel al-Hassan, Iraq's commercial counselor in Washington. "Iraqis need your support. Why let someone else do that?"

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2008-06-16-iraqinvestment_N.htm?csp=34

The only largest investment proposal I've heard about is Disney.

Americans have been convinced that we are losing, that it's too dangerous, that the Iraqis hate Americans, that we're only there for oil (have we gotten any, by the way?), capitalism is bad, and that there's not enough guaranteed security forces. Yes, like most things important recently, the US is a day late and a dollar short

"My question is, 'Where are you guys in terms of investment, in terms of economic engagement?' " said Naufel al-Hassan, Iraq's commercial counselor in Washington. "Iraqis need your support. Why let someone else do that?"

Americans can ask this same question. Why send more jobs overseas, how about investing more in the United States? Americans need their support. There are many here who's jobs were given away to various other countries, jobs that Americans counted on to support their families. Why let someone else do that?

One of the most salient points in my mind, is what the
results of the November election yield. If McCain is elected, then that would be the signal for U.S. investors and contractors to move forward, otherwise, almost everything is uncertain.

Actually, I suspect it will be very certain. We will pull out of Iraq and the place will go to hell in a hand basket. Even if the Iraqis keep it together no one is going to want to risk money there.