Alternate Universe

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Now you have an empowered Iraq with the Hussein family still in charge.

How do you mean this? Do you expect the Hussein women to return from exile in -- is it Monte Carlo? [I didn't look.]

Pierce, remember that pour faute de mieux is not depraved foreign policy, but exactly the thing we've been doing since our nation's inception. Blaming the U.S.'s policies for each and every social ill found in Araby is strictly from the propaganda book of those "very dangerous regimes." You're much more credulous about Arab propaganda than I am, as recollection of our disputes over Middle Eastern policy shows. I do believe becoming familiar with how the ruling circles of the Arab states came to power -- that is, you're going to have to become more familiar with Arab history from Morocco through Syria than I think you are -- will show how little we've had to do with it, and for how much time. Even the William Eaton-Hamet Karamanli expedition in the early 19th century amounted to about a company of foot soldiers and some naval support, primarily in logistics.

Even post-WW2, our involvement really didn't amount to anything much beyond telling the winners, "Congratulations on your success, and we're available to discuss trade agreements at your convenience."