[Lorianne]

People in these countries are not our friends militarily or otherwise. They were celebrating in the streets after 9/11.

It’s beyond stupid to be in an ‘alliance’ with them. Their leaders just want to save their own hides should ISIS overrun them. That’s all. There is no other reason they want to be in an ‘alliance with us

And if they have little to now military capability, what kind of alliance is it? What are they actually doing?

[duckln]

I agree with you basically on Kuwait.

Upshot was that a few 'princes' stole an oil bonanza from Iraq.

They were protected by the free world, who benefited as de facto partners in the heist.

It has a lot to do with us defending the filthy rich ' Muslims in name only' as it has to do with picking favored dubious muslim groups.

Could be we are now bombing the wrong people. We should be concentrating on the MINO who control the banking systems in countries that are financing the Islamists world wide onslaught.

[papertyger]

I hate to mess up your notions of statecraft, but countries don't have "friends." They have allies. Those alliances are built on common interests and goals. Whether they "like" us is irrelevant.

If "liking" our people had anything to do with it, or greatest allies would be the Chicoms.