> If it's always been about oil, then the US is currently the largest oil producer. Why are we still relying on these countries for anything? "Oil" means "lots

> If it's always been about oil, then the US is currently the largest oil producer. Why are we still relying on these countries for anything? "Oil" means "lots of money". Why do capitalist nations work with extremely rich unethical countries? Well, we want some of their money. And because "free trade!!" is a reasonable argument in the US, a whole web of conflicting motives has sprung up perpetuating trade... weapons manufacturers and fossil fuel infrastructure companies lobbying politicians for "jobs" (profit), citizens misled by simplified mainstream media, hawkish doves demanding stability for the people by supporting strong states, dovish hawks insisting on elimination of rebel forces, Europe's reliance on stability to avoid immigration crisis and dependency on Russian energy, huge foreign investments in the US economy (eg Silicon Valley), stability of international oil prices influencing stability of domestic revenue, religious tension and political lobbying (Israel)... on and on.