Of course Iraq doesn't exist. It never has! The Ottomans knew this, and governed the area via three separate provinces. Joe Biden, bless his heart, wanted to return to this successful system, suggesting a "federal" system in Iraq, with three separate zones, not unlike the old Ottoman system. But who listens to old Joe? Our "support" of Egypt is essentially a bribe to keep them off the Israeli's necks...cheap at the price, in my view. The Saudi princes would like to rid themselves of their Wahhabi contract, thus conferring legitimacy on the regime. This will happen, slowly, over time. As far as troops in the region, it probably made strategic sense to kick Saddam out of Kuwait, as he might have invaded Saudi next. You don't want a chap like that controlling the majority of Mideast oil. But all the other incursions and invasions have been mistakes. I would keep the 5th fleet where it is, in Bahrain and Qatar, just in case. But, lay low. Avoid Isis, and Syria. These are local problems. Israel? We have to protect it, even if we disagree form time to time with its tactics, and strategy. This is a moral imperative, not a strategic one, and is supported by the vast majority of the American people, year after year. Better the Balfour declaration had designated southern Nevada as the homeland of the Jews. Returning to their ancient homeland, from which they were cruelly and illegally expelled, was always a preferred sentimental choice, but a strategic disaster. Oh, well. What's done is done. A one state solution is the only answer, as Caroline Glick suggests.
Of course Iraq doesn't exist. It never has! The Ottomans knew this, and governed the area via three separate provinces. Joe Biden, bless his heart, wanted to return to this successful system, suggesting a "federal" system in Iraq, with three separate zones, not unlike the old Ottoman system. But who listens to old Joe? Our "support" of Egypt is essentially a bribe to keep them off the Israeli's necks...cheap at the price, in my view. The Saudi princes would like to rid themselves of their Wahhabi contract, thus conferring legitimacy on the regime. This will happen, slowly, over time. As far as troops in the region, it probably made strategic sense to kick Saddam out of Kuwait, as he might have invaded Saudi next. You don't want a chap like that controlling the majority of Mideast oil. But all the other incursions and invasions have been mistakes. I would keep the 5th fleet where it is, in Bahrain and Qatar, just in case. But, lay low. Avoid Isis, and Syria. These are local problems. Israel? We have to protect it, even if we disagree form time to time with its tactics, and strategy. This is a moral imperative, not a strategic one, and is supported by the vast majority of the American people, year after year. Better the Balfour declaration had designated southern Nevada as the homeland of the Jews. Returning to their ancient homeland, from which they were cruelly and illegally expelled, was always a preferred sentimental choice, but a strategic disaster. Oh, well. What's done is done. A one state solution is the only answer, as Caroline Glick suggests.