However, notwithstanding the turmoil and misery that many of these counties have experienced, let's not entirely absolve them from any blame in this matter. Many of their dictators were more than happy to fully cooperate with the European powers and the U.S. to advance their own interests. So these countries must also share a good deal of the blame for what has transpired. Saudi Arabia has a long history of being involved with various forms of terrorism and funding terrorist groups. 15 of the 19 hijackers in the 911 disaster were from that country.
Consider those facts and evidence relative to what happened in the Middle East over these many decades. Think about the suffering that so many of these people were subjected to by a succession of invasions, occupations, and interference in their internal affairs; under constant siege, largely over the control of oil. Does it become more clear why we are now seeing more and more terrorists emerge from these countries and this region that are determined to seek revenge?
Now here's a question for those who still refuse to accept the notion that we have been and are continuing to create our own enemies; do they honestly think that these countries and their people would just continue to absorb the blows, refuse to fight back and simply resign themselves to what is happening to them?
One other major factor that has contributed to this turmoil is the Global War on Terror (GWOT), initiated by G.W. Bush and continued by Barack Obama. It hasn't worked, it has created more and more terrorists but it goes on and on, a misguided policy seemingly with no end and a strategy that will never work.
But then again, let's be fair and present the opposite opinion by many that the GWOT has been wildly successful because it has created a perpetual stream of profits for those who manufacture the ammunition, the missiles, and all sorts of other highly sophisticated weaponry. For these merchants of war the more fuel that is tossed on the fires of terrorism the better. They thrive on terrorism.
As this terrorism gains momentum massive armies and powerful weaponry will become largely ineffective in dealing with this totally different kind of enemy; one who you can't see, that strikes without warning, and then blends into the population. This is a new form of asymmetric warfare by which weaker nations use unconventional tactics against a much stronger foe and it's been working. In the future, Europe will be the main terrorist target but if the U.S. continues to bomb Iraq and Syria and launch drones then it will also become a prime target.
This can't be allowed to go on and we have to find the ways to bring this situation under control before it's too late and we see this turmoil spread all over the world; bringing death and misery to many who have done nothing to contribute to the problem. So here are some recommendations for how the U.S. government should change its policies and strategies in the world and thereby begin to bring an end to this madness.
*Scale back the vast U.S. military empire; retain only strategic bases; remove all forces from Middle East countries except the major military base in Qatar; maintain a strong naval presence in the region.
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