Then why didn't we take out the Saudis first? The Saudis bankroll terrorists much more than Saddam ever did.
we thought he had nuclear weapons
I actually don't believe that. There was no hard evidence, none. But there was enough soft evidence to use nuclear weapons as an excuse for war. Bush II needed an excuse to take out Saddam and "nation-build." No democracy should be looking for an excuse to go to war.
I think Bush really scared the locals when we went in
Yes he did. He scared our enemies just enough to make them believe that they need nuclear weapons to avoid the same fate as Saddam.
Where we screw up is trying to make these people “civilized”.
I agree 100%. Bush II thought he could turn Afghanistan and Iraq into mini-americas. It was a very tragic and very wasteful mistake.
“Then why didn’t we take out the Saudis first? The Saudis bankroll terrorists much more than Saddam ever did.”
They have more money to throw at pandering western politicians and are sneakier in their approach to advance Islam.
I’m not sure Bush II did this to nation build, but you may be right. It certainly looks like it.
“Yes he did. He scared our enemies just enough to make them believe that they need nuclear weapons to avoid the same fate as Saddam.”
I don’t think for one minute the Iranians are developing nuclear weapons because they fear an attack from Barack Obama. I think they are doing it to project their power and influence regionally and worldwide. I think they are ver dangerous people.
Whne we took out Saddam, Khdaffi started making VERY consiliatory statements and I believe he even voluntarily surrendered some weapons. The Iranian students were rioting in Tehran hoping Bush would take out the Mullahs. Even the Syrians were quaking in their boots.
Bliztkried. Move in. Use overwhelming modern technological force. Destroy their military. Pull out asap. DON’T OCCUPY and let THEM pick up the pieces. Vae Victis!!!
But I agree with you in the sense that we should ONLY get involved when our own overwhelming strategic interests are involved and NEVER get involved with “nation- building”.