[BeadCounter]

Agreed, all of your posts here are on the mark. I think JB answered the question adequately even if I disagree with most of his political positions.

And as someone else said, point to the Arab spring and all that a lot more than 2008.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for the note of agreement.

That’s a good point, the Arab Spring. Good call. There was a lot going on post 2008 wasn’t there.

[Theoria]

Sure, and that argument either leads to the obvious civil war that would happen after Saddam was taken out, or keep Saddam there.

Either way. There was no plan to handle any scenarios. Keeping our military there forever is not a plan as well, especially with no status of forces agreement under Bush or Obama.

ISIS was/is a natural event that has only been held in check with dictators in the ME.