Wouldn't the old colonial powers and their policy have as much to do with middle east today as the more recent attempts to "fix" things?
The old colonial empires of England and France did basically what Saddam Hussein did in Iraq they ruled by politics and not religion even if a dictatorship. The various factions were not allowed to go through a more natural evolution into a nation state or smaller more homogenous country even if it would've included war and death. Most of the middle east was occupied and/or ruled by England and France.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_North_Africa
http://lostislamichistory.com/how-the-british-divided-up-the-arab-world/
This was forced cohabitation of long time enemies. So when the reins of any political control are removed or changed these enemies see as it an opportunity for their push their agenda.
I think one thing you are spot on is the penchant of 'Western' countries for manipulating the situation in other countries (for their own benefit). And I don't think that has changed at all, except in one regard and that is that the leader in manipulating has now become the US. If you look at my last reply to Son of Perdition, I've given my opinion as to the reason for that action and several links on how it is going down.
The American administration has fooled most of the world into accepting the BS about spreading democracy and freedom and fortunately for them(the Administration), people have short memories and mostly don't see the backstories and connections. That is where the truth really lies. If it was all about spreading democracy and freedom, why are they trying to take down Syria which is a democracy and according to this link:
http://levantreport.com/2014/06/30/damascus-and-baghdad-a-marines-syrian-education/ This article (by a Marine) talks about how Syria was before this war started. Sounds like 'anyplace USA'.
Then there's the Ukraine, which had a democratic government but the US helped overthrow it. How about voting the corrupt president out instead of a coup? That's how democracy are supposed to work, right America? What would have been the American peoples reaction if Russia for example stepped in to help get rid of Nixon by funding terrorists?
I've tried to find out about Libya before Gaddafi was murdered and there isn't much that's unbiased out there. But from what I can tell, it was pretty good for the people. Fourteen cents a litre for their gas, numerous cash benefits, a check every month from the country's oil company because the country's oil belonged to the people, free education, great healthcare......As for his terrorist leanings, he actually funded Nelson Mandela's fight against apartheid and I know he supported the IRA as well although I've never researched the IRA so I have no opinion on that. But suffice it to say that when the US decided it was time to take him out, they funded Al Qaeda to do the deed.
http://levantreport.com/2014/06/30/damascus-and-baghdad-a-marines-syrian-education/ and now that most prosperous country of Africa is in shambles.
What I do think is bizarre is the world making a pilgrimage (including Obama) to Nelson Mandela's funeral, paying homage to a great man, even while they had orchestrated the murder of one man who 'fought' for an end to apartheid by supporting Nelson Mandela, Moammar Gaddafi and who worked hard to change the course of Libya for the better.
