but also Monroe Doctrine was still in effect then

True

It’s not our concern, stop trying to justify constant military action in the Middle East

Okay so say we created these problems
I say, have fun!

@Snake I think we're setting up problems in the ME for China to inherit

For Russia to inherit.

The problems usually date all the way back to the Ottoman empire.

it's not fair to blame the US

Problems it will happily fix through genocide.

not all of them

@Nathan James 123 China will need the Oil more than we do

True, but Russia is in a position to expand its sphere into there

@Nathan James 123

This is not about "a shining light of goodness". I'm debunking the silly assertion you made that these "allies" are in any way useful.

As they're currently doing

Russia will beat them to the ME.

@Jym Allies are useful

@Jym UK bases in the Middle East, Indian Ocean?

how are we supposed to counter China w/o friends

UK intelligence sharing?

Russia mostly doesn't want to loose their port in Syria

Five Eyes

UK military cooperation..

which is fair enough

French Military Cooperation

see Mali

or Syria

The Germans are running the NATO operation in Afghanistan right now

the US needs its allies @Jym

I know their annoying

and I know they don't pay NEARLY enough

RAF Akrotiri is of MASSIVE strategic importance

An airbase you can use...

Because of your ally.

The UK.

I don't mean to say that I like Russian presence in Syria, but I really can't blame them for it

@Nathan James 123

I didn't mention the UK. They are one of the rare cases of a European nation that carries their weight.

They're an ally

LOL

France with its colonial relationships @Jym

UK isn't very European though

@Jym When there is an African Boogaloo that needs to go down and you want it quiet you call the French