Iraq's Crude Awakening.

Describes the energy crisis in Iraq as of May 19, 2003. Importance of Iraq in the global oil market; Consideration of breakdowns in the crude-oil machinery such as fractured pipelines, controls damaged by looters, and rusting equipment; How U.S. forces put a protective shield around the Oil Ministry building in Baghdad, Iraq; Impact of the oil industry on the living standards of Iraqis; Relationship between Iraq and countries such as France, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and China; Diversification of U.S. supplies.