Comment Re:Partly why it seems to be like game for pilots? (Score 1) 115
Saddam didn't tolerate the group from attacking him.
He actively helped them after the first war, as he was weakened and needed them not hostiles to him.
How do you think al-Zarkawi arrived in Iraq? He was there after the invasion of Afghanistan to recover from his injuries.
Overthrowing the KSA government would be stupid then and now:
1) Saddam left in power would be a huge PITA now, more if the KSA was overthrow by the US.
2) Saddam didn't exported oil then, KSA did so. Invading would disrupt the oil flux for long time.
3) Iraq people are, mind you, much more secular than the KSA people. They are much more diverse, so they have a chance to really become democratic and have a working democracy and a rule of law.
4) Just now, when it is needed, the oil production of Iraq is coming on line in large quantities. This will force the KSA to keep the production up and the prices down. Their margin will be less and they will earn less money. Less money for them, less money for the jihadists.
5) A working Iraq is a huge PITA for both KSA and IRI (and probably Syria and Turkey, also).
Iran people resent that their filthy Arab neighbors have a democracy when they are forced under a theocracy. Unable to destroy the democracy next door, Iran and KAS will start to feel the internal pressure from their people.
6) Killing scores of jihadists and criminals in combat help much to build a society will less crime and more peaceful. true in Iraq, in Iran and in KSA.
7) The US is not the only actor to spend huge sums of money in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its enemies do the same, even if they are much poorer. They money they spend there (and the men and the time and the other resources) can not be spent in other places and in other plans.