The U.S. has declared that Russia, France and Germany and other countries that didn’t back the invasion of Iraq will be barred from competing for nearly $19 billion in Iraq reconstruction contracts. A memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said the ban was “necessary for the protection of the essential security interests of the United States.” Wolfowitz goes on to write in the memo “Limiting competition for prime contracts will encourage the expansion of international cooperation in Iraq and in future efforts”