Persia, Russia, and China have been ruled by force for centuries. Lying, false appearances, misdirection, intrigue, terror, and violence are essential skills for their rulers. Few Americans have such a mindset or mentally adopt the perspective of those who do. The conjecture that we have been puppets and they have been pulling the strings may seem farfetched, but what has its involvement in the Middle East cost the U.S., what has it gained, and whose relative position has improved? We’ve spent trillions, with thousands killed and wounded, lost credibility and face, and have nothing to show for it. Simply by standing aside, Russia and China’s strength relative to ours has grown, and Iran has certainly bettered its position and increased its influence in the Middle East over the last twelve years.

Maybe there is no design, maybe the U.S. is simply beating itself. Either way, involvement in Syria will be more of the same, and this time we may be looking at bankruptcy and World War Three (see “Just Say No,” August 5, 2013). It is time the U.S. called its own shots, put its interests first. A U.S. that defended its shores and minded its own business could rebuild and return to what it used to be: a beacon for the world’s oppressed, our success a shining counterexample and feared rebuke to all those who rule by lies, intrigue, terror, and violence.

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