sinpilot: "I used to think that incoming presidents should have a degree in History"
Attributed to many: 'those who do not understand history are condemend to repeat it.'
I recall being very angry that the then-administration was not helping the Mujahadden against the Russians in Afghanistan. But it turns out we were giving them a ton of aid, from ammunitios to Stingers. Afghanistan was the Russians' Vietnam. They had easily 'conquered' the country in days and were being sapped trying to hold on to it. I believe they lost in excess of 10K troops after their 'mission accomplished.' Helping that struggle played a role in bringing down the old USSR.
The price we paid was elevating and empowering one Mujahadden leader -- OBL. When we stopped aid to the Mujahadeen, we made an enemy.
Later, we gave weapons to Saddam to help him against Iran. Then we screwed him on Kuwait, making another determined enemy.
And this stuff spanned three administrations -- one screw-up after another. Meddling in regional politics as if it would never bite us in the end.
Look up the 'New American Century' documents to see what's behind our current plans, and the repercussions are predictable for generations to come. We are potentially looking ar Orwell's perpetual war.
http://www.newamericancentury.org/iraqmiddleeast.htm