[Aliantha]

Yes, and someone else gets the oil you want. That's exactly the point.

Colonialism isn't always as blatant as simply taking over. It's changing the structure of a country to suit the stronger country's needs. In the world as it is today, it would be almost impossible to just go in there and declare Iraq a US or British or even Australian colony (call it what you will). Instead, these governments have to achieve the outcome they desire by alternative means.