Has Iraq Strengthened U.S. interests in the Middle East?

The New York Times recently released an article which discussed the effect of the war in Iraq on the United States political strength in the Middle East. The article takes the stand that the United States has damaged it's interests in the Middle East by engaging in the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime.


The Question is Has The Invasion of Iraq Strengthened U.S. interests in the Middle East?

Yes, the United States did overthrow one of its old enemies and a possible threat to our allies. Saddam did draw our armies to the Persian Gulf in previous years by threatening Saudi Arabia and invading Kuwait.

Yes, the United States has established what resembles a democracy in Iraq, a key Middle Eastern nation that was once a brutal dictatorship. Recently there was a very successful election in Iraq that had a surprisingly low amount of violence and coercion.

No, the United States has caused a tremendous amount of disturbance in the Middle East. This has angered Middle Easterners, hurt their economy, and negatively affected our access to oil.

No, Iran now feels more threatened by the Unites States powerful presence in its backyard. This has caused it to actively find ways to achieve a balance of power (nuclear weapons, WMD's) and a balance of terror.

No, before the war, Iraq was the hegemon on the Middle East, but Iraq was severely crippled by U.N. restrictions and the U.S.'s watchful eye. Now Iran has risen to become the leader of the U.S.'s opposition, and Iran is more dangerous than Iraq was.

When all is considered, I think the invasion has vastly increased the United State's strength in Iraq (this is obvious) yet weakened the United State's soft power in the Middle East.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/weekinreview/08myers.html?scp=6&sq=Iraq&st=cse