How are you going to keep Russia and China from meddling? The ME has been a proxy war between the West and the Communist since WWII. And, yes, it has been over oil, no doubt about it. Oil there is easier to get at and more plentiful.
In the last thirty or so years the Communists have decided to use the radical Muslims as worldwide allies in defeating the West. They are the ones who began the agitation against our friend the Shah. They had a willing friend in Jimmy Carter and in all Democrats who have followed.
After 9/11 Bush correctly decided we must fight them over there or fight them here. That is still the case and the Democrats still seem to be on the side of the enemy.
Great post and great analysis. The world has been playing chess against us, and too many in America don't recognize this. We are all too willingly self destructing.
There was a lot of talk about energy independence during the 2008 campaign, but all we have over a year later is a Cap and Trade bill based on very questionable science. We need to judiciously develop more of our own oil production, and begin a Manhattan project-type American program to develop new energy sources and energy independence. If the world erupted into global conflict tomorrow, windmills and solar panels would not save us.
I have been saying this as well. The Russain power brokers are sneeky and deceptive rats. Just like the Iranians and democrats.
We are fighting them here, the country is full of them and more and more plots are being broken up. Or not stopped at all like Fort Hood.
Fighting them over here and allowing them to set up shop here, is a failed strategy. Just like in the UK.