Thus, the reasons for the switch away from Iran and Syria may have perhaps been political rather than judicial. Within weeks, a vast multi-national coalition led by the U.S. was put together to force him out. Iran and Syria were both among the nations that the U.S. wanted to join the anti-Iraq crusade. Also, the lure of oil seeks another scenario. The Washington-based lobby group, USA Engage, suggests that sanctions cost American companies billions of dollars in lost exports every year.
Libyan oil is cheap to extract, of high quality, and close to European markets.
Britain reestablished relations with Libya some time ago after an agreement dealing with Libyan responsibility for the shooting of a London police officer. The impulse is to close the door on the past and move on. Another aspect in the whole discussion is America's urge to control, especially Muslims. The Christian world has not been able to erase their memory of the fact that Muslims once ruled parts of Europe. Muslim political observers say that the Bin Laden extradition story is a mere ploy whose real purpose is to destabilize Afghanistan and stop it from becoming a rallying point for worldwide Islam.