By Tom Ryan, Kansas City Star Reader Advisory Panel

This really works out well for China. Could there be a sweeter crude deal? Let others lay the groundwork, sacrificing that most treasured national treasure. Done? Great, it’s drillin’ time!

The method worked well in Sudan and it's effective in Iraq as well.

So, how does this strike you America? China’s giant national oil company CNPC is reaping the benefits of our foreign expedition to create a democracy and free the world from terror. Time to mull this over while standing in Arlington this coming Veteran’s Day. It’s a while off, but, by then the oil production should be ramping up. I wonder if some of this refined China-drilled go juice will make it into your go-cart soon?

It’s just the way of the world. I suppose the Chinese security guards around the production platforms were soldiers in the People’s Army a few years back when this Iraq War went down. I suppose they’re making twice the pay of an American Army Captain, too. I suppose the Iraqi locals think this is rather ironic.

Reality begins to clarify. Aftermath. Losers, Winners.