Why does the U.S. need an embassy in Iraq as big as three football fields and drenched in gold?

Question

isn't one of Saddam Hussein's palaces sufficient?

Answer 1

The only valid point you made was the size of the planned embassy. It will not be drenched in gold. The reason for the size is that it will also be the center for spreading democracy in the Middle East in addition to the embassy functions.

Answer 2

An excellent question, even with the exaggeration for theatrical effect. No real answer has ever been provided and it peace were to suddenly break out, however unlikely, there would be  no need for all the people it takes to staff it. One might regard it as GW's palace in Baghdad but I'm sure that would be unfair.

Answer 3

How do you drench something in gold?

The size is because of two reasons - the number of people assigned there to do all the various peace and democracy missions, and because all those people will need a place to live.

But an excellent point....it is too big and too expensive. Plus once the US troops pull out and Iraq descends into civil war - it will likely become a brand new, poorly constructed, very expensive empty shell.

Answer 4

To accommodate all the spies and electronic intercept equipment we plan on having over there.

Answer 5

The spoils of war.

We control all the land for a huge area around it, so it is ours to use as we see fit.

Answer 6

Since we don't we don't have one as you described. Drenched in gold? - Yeah, right.