[Vermont Lt]

AQAP is more interested in destabilizing the KSA. I understand that AQ attacked us, but the fact that almost all of the attackers were from SA tells me something about how SA feels about us as well.

The middle east is a mess. It has been since long before 2001. The US keeps making the same mistakes, over and over. We think that a democracy or republic form of government will work over there. Clearly with their penchant for corruption and tribal BS that is not possible.

We dug ourselves a hole. As Powell said, we broke it—we bought it.

When you dig yourself a hole, the first thing you do to solve the problem is to stop digging.

I think a lot of this is Obama’s fault. But I think getting ourselves into another mess in the middle east is not in our national interest.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"We think that a democracy or republic form of government will work over there."

Not me. A liberal democracy is only going to work with an enlightened people who understand the principles of liberty as set forth by people such as John Locke. Until these countries education system get's reformed, the people will not be ready. True, some of the countries have people ready for a liberal democracy. I think that both Iran and Iraq are two such candidates. However, countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt probably need a strongman. If nothing else, they protect the minorities against the passions of the majority.

"But I think getting ourselves into another mess in the middle east is not in our national interest."

I don't believe preventing Iran from delivering weapons to the Huthis is getting ourselves in another mess. If Iran tries to prevent us from boarding and inspecting their ships (which we have every right to do via the U.N. mandate against arming these rebels) it will be operation Preying Mantass II and it will end the same decisive way. It won't be a mess unless you are talking about the Iranian Navy.