patrick.net

Putin has a point here.

I don't think that the US government has figured out the cycle yet - first they arm the Islamist rebels to topple the dictators, then they end up fighting those same extremists later on, who then have their weapons and training.

I think that the biggest shame in history is Iraq - Saddam Hussein was a secular ruler who maintained law, order and peace in his country. He was an Arab and knew how to handle his own people - even if it meant being a tyrant and ruling with an iron-fist. Hopefully our government doesn't make the same mistake with Al-Assad.

MissedTheBoat21 says

I don't think that the US government has figured out the cycle yet - first they arm the Islamist rebels to topple the dictators, then they end up fighting those same extremists later on, who then have their weapons and training.

I think they've figured it out quite well, at least the military industrial complex has.

Gotta keep the business growing...

MissedTheBoat21 says

I don't think that the US government has figured out the cycle yet - first they arm the Islamist rebels to topple the dictators, then they end up fighting those same extremists later on, who then have their weapons and training.

I think the only other country to get the f-14 was Iran. Sure, we didn't give them the hard points for, or the Phoenix missiles, but one heck of an interceptor for her day.

At the time, of course, we were supporting a secular 'installed' government. It amounted to the same end you describe above though ... and of course how we got into bed with Iraq.

Rew says

I think the only other country to get the f-14 was Iran. Sure, we didn't give them the hard points for, or the Phoenix missiles, but one heck of an interceptor for her day.

Yeah about that...

http://www.defence.pks/iranian-defence/203429-iran-successfully-produces-new-generation-tomcat-f-14-a.html

Most likely its a day late and a dollar short.