Syriana
I watched Syriana on Amazon Instant Videos for this assignment (Syriana). The movie was
released by Warner Brothers in 2005. Starring actors are George Clooney and Matt Damon. A
number of people posting on the Rotten Tomatoes Website, which reviews movies, saw it as
complicated, requiring several viewings to understand, and deep in thought (Syriana Reviews). I
watched the movie 5 times in order to pick up everything that was going on. I didn’t find the
multiple viewings as redundant or boring. I did find this movie as very illuminating. The movie
captures some core truths in regards to how our country does business overseas.
I was also attracted to the movie for the setting in the Persian Gulf. I served as an
ambulance company platoon leader in the Persian Gulf War during the years 1990 through 1991.
I left the Persian Gulf thinking we went to war for powerful business interests in countries that
did not support our values such as equality for women, value of life, democracy, etc. We were
after all in a region of the world with oil rigs everywhere. Every oil well I saw in Kuwait was on
fire. We were not in Africa where people were starving and warlords were killing
noncombatants on a routine basis. Africa didn’t have oil while Kuwait did.
How is the business world portrayed?
Syriana portrays the business world and US government in a negative light. The
government suspects the merger between Connex and Killen is the result of pay offs to foreign
governments. They need approval from US government to approve the merger. The US
government and oil companies are both corrupt and vacillate back and forth with collusion in
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their shared dishonesty. Business leaders meet with the “Royals” and attempt to extract oil deals
to the benefit of their company and the US economy in the short run. Attorneys help their clients
maneuver around the intent of the law. The US government colludes with business and deploys
government agents to do their bidding. Large corporations use money, power and influence to
evade the law and exploit another countries national resource.
Business Ethical Dilemmas
Ethical Dilemma 1:
The movie is centered on the merger of two large oil companies. The Justice Department
is concerned the merger violates the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) which represents the
prevailing ethical dilemma. The Justice department has posted the FCPA on their website. The
document begins with this statement:
“The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1, et seq.
("FCPA"), was enacted for the purpose of making it unlawful for certain classes of
persons and entities to make payments to foreign government officials to assist in obtaining
or retaining business.” (USDOJ: CRM: FRAUD)
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act is repeatedly referred to throughout the movie.
Characters from business, elected officials, justice department and private law firms all address
the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act from different angles. In the end they elect to sacrifice a lower
level company official and the lead attorney. The attorney had improperly invested based on
insider knowledge gained from his involvement in the merger. What I would do in this scenario
is hard to determine. During the course of my own life, I have been a person who puts policy to
action. I’ve spent my time being caught up in the execution portion of the circumstance. I’ve
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also lost sight of the larger picture as a result. I think it is nearly impossible to make a difference
on the top of the organization from the center, which is where the two lead characters find
themselves. The corruption increased with the level of power in these organizations. In the case
of Bryan Woodman, an energy analyst, and a partner in a derivatives trading company; I would
probably have acted similar. I would have made the deal in the best interest of my company and
simultaneously challenged Prince Nassir on his business deals in much the same way Matt
Damon’s character, Bryan, did. .
Ethical Dilemma 2:
Also of concern is the Chinese have signed an agreement which the American
businessmen are trying to invalidate. The ethical dilemma here is Connex-Killen is “Attempting
to unhook a competitor’s sale” by encouraging the Emir to invalidate a signed contract with the
Chinese. When the Chinese initially took over the company, the workers were told to “scram”
and they had two weeks to report to immigration. One of those workers charted a path that
eventually led him to be a suicide bomber. The scene was akin to the attack on a U.S. Ship
docked in Yemen. Behind closed doors big oil executives rationalize their actions as being in the
best interest of the country. Allowing the Chinese to purchase energy resources will help the
Chinese modernize their economy which causes them more competitive in the world economy.
The issue is resolved to the benefit of the American businessman. They are able to sabotage the
Chinese and the merger goes through. The resolution of this issue is not more wars, shady
business deals manipulating Middle East oil sheiks or corrupting government officials. Had we
taken all the money spent on these things and instead invested in alternative fuels sources; our
country would be ahead militarily, technologically, economically and morally. The business
leaders who keep us connected to fossil fuels share one characteristic with their product. Their
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vision and thinking are fossilized as well. A Muslim cleric makes the point that a country that
occupies 5% of the world’s population and 50% of the world’s military forces is a country
devoid of ideas and thought. The country in decline he is referring to is the United States of
America.
Ethical Dilemma 3:
Bryan develops a relationship with the Prince Nassir. Prince Nassir is not first in line for the
throne (Emir). He has a degree from Georgetown and wishes to do right by his people. His
older brother has less vision and therefore more susceptible to foreign influences. At the end of
the movie Prince Nassir, and his family, is taken out by a drone attack while driving in a convoy.
This represents the third ethical dilemma. Should the government be using military assets to
improperly further the cause of big oil? I am sure some slick tonged politician would argue their
actions were in the national interests of the United States of America. That argument continues
to get us into wars. Prince Nassir was in the process of challenging the succession of the throne
as decided by his father. He had the allegiance of 9 of 11 generals. His brother was far less
intelligent and much easier to manipulate which was a huge advantage for both the US
Government and US Business interests. George Clooney’s’ character, Bob, attempted to
intervene; however, was too late. The significance here is Bob has come to the realization that in
spite of being a good agent all of his life; he really never saw the big picture until recently. He
thought by doing his part, as a good agent for the CIA, he was positively contributing. He knows
the businessmen, Mr. Whiting was correct; Bob had been duped by his superiors all along.
Bryan has also come to the same reflection by this point in the movie. This dynamic is not
unknown to many soldiers who have served in war. Post war, looking backward, we served for
the guy next to us as opposed to the publically stated cause. We train meticulously for a lot of
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years, believing in the cause, believing in being a soldier, and eventually we find ourselves in
position to use that training. Used, manipulated, cast off and lied to are common feelings that
contribute to feelings of guilt. What would I do in a similar situation? I can associate with Bob
on this point.
I was a good soldier and “that used to be enough” (Syriana). The outcomes for
me were not optimal either. Like Bob, I would not fall on my sword. With age and experience, I
have come to make different decisions.
Other business ethics issues that were portrayed
In discussion with the lawyers, as to the best course of action; the lawyers conclude having a
lower level manager accept total responsibility. The manager would be given a minimum
sentence and a “golden parachute” after he gets out. The culture of both the government and
corporation encourages corruption as opposed to ethical behavior. At one point the corporate
attorney states “All we need is an illusion of justice”.
Summary
I learned more about corporate culture and what kind of people makes it to the top. I
have found the little decisions in life are the ones that can get you in trouble. Small ethical
lapses can compound and before you know it, you have crossed a major line. There is some
comfort and naivety in being a “good soldier”. You can disconnect your role from the larger
picture. You can rationalize your actions as “just doing my job”. What the movie drives
home for me is I am going to be very careful about selecting my next employer. I do not
believe the ends justify the means. I will need to work for a company with ethics and values
match with mine.
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Works Cited
"Syriana." Amazon.com: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Jeffrey Wright, Chris Cooper: Amazon
Instant Video. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.amazon.com/Syriana/dp/B000H2FDTO>.
"Syriana Reviews." Syriana. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/syriana/reviews/?type=user>.
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"USDOJ: CRM: FRAUD: Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)." USDOJ: CRM: FRAUD:
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa/>.
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