In prior generations the politicians ignored when dictators rather than democratic governments started taking over parts of the middle east. The result was Hitler was a lot harder to take out, and had a lot more fuel for his war machines. Currently the world has at least four troublesome dictators, some with nukes, Putin, Xi, Kim, and the Mullahs in Iran. The U.S. isn't there to steal the oil, the U.S. is there to make sure shit people with murderous intentions don't get the very fuel their military needs.
