Who has been the biggest beneficiaries of the U.S.’s Middle Eastern misadventures? Iran. From Scott Horton at antiwar.com:
According to neoconservative theoreticians David Wurmser and Richard Perle, George W. Bush’s Iraq War II (supported by Senator Biden) was supposed to weaken Iran and Syria and therefore Hezbollah’s threat to Israel. Instead, the war empowered Iran as the U.S. put their best friends from the Hakim family’s Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) and their Badr Brigade in power. Gen. David Petraeus turned their death and torture squads into the Iraqi army.
Obama’s dirty war in Syria (Supported by Vice-President Biden) was supposed to weaken Iran by taking out their friend Bashar al-Assad, the “keystone” of the arch of Iranian power in the region. Instead Assad asked Iran, Hezbollah and Russia to come help and is now more dependent on them than ever before, especially after Western, Turkish, GCC and Israeli support for the bin Ladenites blew up into the ISIS Caliphate which required Obama to launch Iraq War III (2014–2018), back on the side of the Iraqi Shi’ites they wish they hadn’t fought Iraq War II for. US planes even flew air cover for Iranian Quds force in the battle for Saddam’s hometown of Tikrit. In Syria, our guys were left at the al Tanf base – why? – to block the so-called “land bridge” from Tehran to Beirut that George W. Bush and Barack Obama built for them. They pretend it’s about ISIS, but, though they are still there, it is a lie that that is their primary mission.
Why would Muslims name themselves ISIS?
There is a certain translation of an indispensable ally’s intelligence agency which is that same name. (wink)
All Warfare is based on deception.
Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive;
when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when we are far away, we must make
him believe we are near.
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.
If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.
Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.
Sun Tzu, The Art of WAR
When Bush the younger “took out” Saddam, he relieved Iran of their greatest enemy! Another “unanticipated consequence” (or was it anticipated!?) result of not minding our own business!