White House blocks inquiry into construction of $736m embassy in Iraq

US Embassy Under Construction - Baghdad

Since virtually everything is a secret in the current White House, this should come as no fucking surprise to anyone.

The Bush administration is blocking an inquiry into the delay-plagued construction of the $736m US embassy in Baghdad, a senior Democrat in Congress said today.

I've been to several US Embassies around the world. Many were in countries far larger than Iraq. Now there are three main reasons I see for such embassies.

1. Functionality or to do necessary embassy work. This makes perfect sense.

In the case of Iraq, perhaps two of these structures would be required to effect functionality which takes surprisingly little square footage from my experience.

2. Impress the locals. All embassies are slightly larger than requisite just to establish respect. This doesn't pertain to the US only.

Often such buildings are long, thin and face a thoroughfare to instill awe. This also makes sense. From a political point of view its good to present a stately face.

3. To establish dominance. To say, in no uncertain terms, we are in control here. You may think you are, but you aren't. That's the purpose of this embassy.

I don't consider this a sensible reason for such construction at all.

BTW: There are more buildings than appear in the picture.

One last note: If the US owns or has stolen the land around the embassy, its not obligatory to build for future space requirements. The embassy can be expanded as the need arises.

If you think about it, Washington DC has functioned for over 230 years without initially building mega-structures.

Via The Signs.