mikk, with a combined IQ of naught, the three amigos, Bush, Blair and our very own 'Traky-Dacks' Howard along with a couple of other political non-descripts, simply followed the instructions as laid down by the military industrial complex post 9/11.
Their failed actions in the Middle East have resulted in the catastrophe the place is today. Not that it wasn't a catastrophe pre 9/11, they simply moved it to a new catastrophic level. Today we have the likes of Obama and Abbott beating their chests telling us what great "achievements" have been made in places like Afghanistan. Like Iraq and the rest of the Middle East, Afganistan is a train wreck, thanks to fools like Howard. If nothing else the mugs put on a brave face when talking about the disasters they have helped create.

<<mikk...Bush, Blair and...Howard[s] ... failed actions in the Middle East have resulted in the catastrophe the place is today>>

Another comic book reader!

With a view to saving trees, can we arrange for you guys to share and swap your old comic books.

SPQR I find both truth and a child like giggling in your post.
Yes the middle east has been misused by the west,s intervention.
That started over a century ago.
Country,s divided new ones made by a large number of country,s that did not include America.
Sunnis have hated and fought Shiites for much more than the colonial era.
Very much a possibility that Saudis are behind this murderous stuff now, maybe even as a client Nation of America.
Or even pretending to be one *using America*
Your rant SPQR highlights a fear in me that should not be hidden, you spoke words of a very far right red neck.
Becoming all too common in the Lib/Nats ranks.
Just too think insulting a large part of this country and trying to make mud stick to the ABC.
So your reward to Murdock, and end to free competition to his rags is frightening.
LIBERALISM is being muffled by not the whole, but the few, in control of that party and intent on a madness that frightens true Liberals.

Given the state of sectarian violence in Syria that is spilling over into the Lebanon & now Iraq, what is the chance of a full Sectarian War developing in the Middle East?

The Saudi & Iran have been timidly baiting each other for some time. Iran & the Saudi have both been covertly supplying Arms & fighters to the conflict in Syria. The Saudi supplying $6b in Arms to the Lebanon Army recently.

Where will they end up. The Lebanon have had some initial clashes with Israel lately just to stir things up in that direction. God only knows what will happen if Israel is drawn in early.

The latest developments in the Lebanon & Iraq signal a widening of the Syrian conflict. If the Lebanon & Iraq blow up into full scale conflict, I can see the three countries merged into one all mighty cross Border brawl.

I feel Egypt is in serious trouble with the Muslim Brotherhood being outlawed. Egypt will be dragged, ever so reluctantly into Civil War. Libya has just had it's Spring, but the country has not settled down yet & the Fundamentalists are waiting their chance in this unpredictable climate.

Once "the ship hits the sand" I can't see the Saudi or Iran staying out of it. Iran will target Israel. It will give Israel an excuse to take out Iran's reactor.

Will young Muslim Australians volunteer to go? Will they be allowed or will there be full scale sectarian violence here in Australia? Will America & Russia get involved? The UN of course will act like an old Nun, "now please play nice boys." but little else.

My prediction for 2014 is all out Sectarian War in the Middle East & possibly in the next few weeks.

The West should stay well out of it until it's over. It'll be an interesting few weeks.

Here's a couple of links that might be of
interest:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/05/arab-spring-democracy_n_4049414.html

And -

http://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2012/12/03/what-happens-when-america-no-longer-needs-middle-east-oil/

AP is reporting that Fallujah has fallen to ISIS fighters who are now mopping up (ie liquidating)local resistance groups.