The Failed Grand Strategy in the Middle East

[Locutus]

In the beginning, the Hebrew Bible tells us, the universe was all "tohu wabohu," chaos and tumult. This month the Middle East seems to be reverting to that primeval state: Iraq continues to unravel, the Syrian War grinds on with violence spreading to Lebanon and allegations of chemical attacks this week, and Egypt stands on the brink of civil war with the generals crushing the Muslim Brotherhood and street mobs torching churches. Turkey's prime minister, once widely hailed as President Obama's best friend in the region, blames Egypt's violence on the Jews; pretty much everyone else blames it on the U.S.



The Obama administration had a grand strategy in the Middle East. It was well intentioned, carefully crafted and consistently pursued.



Unfortunately, it failed.



...


U.S. Mideast Policy Has Failed - WSJ.com




And don't worry about all this serious Syria stuff...President Jarret will declare another stand-own anyway.

 

[gerryh]

Unfortunately, it failed.

did it really?

 

[Goober]

And Obama is responsible for Egypt and the Syrian civil war.
US influence in the Mid East has diminished. And it did not start under Obama.
The Saudi's bankroll Egypt. The Islamist wing is a direct threat to Saudi rule.
Morsi was out of his league. He tried to bring in an Islamist State.

 

[damngrumpy]

To start with the problem rests with the Muslims they're nuts period.
Secondly George W Bush went into Iraq and destabilized the entire
region. WE didn't say Saddam had to be a nice guy we needed a
strong man to keep things in line, take him out and you have chaos
Everyone does as they please when the balance of power is destroyed.

 

[petros]

The Brits hacking the Mid East up to their benefit wasn't such a good idea huh?

 

[Highball]

This government is a model of the Italian Army victory symbol earned during WWII. It is hands high in the air and yelling I need something to eat and some shoes please! I think it is the current victory symbol we showed in all the wars we have had out butts kicked in recently.