The War on Terror: Destabilizing the Middle East

•15 min read•Updated Jan 20, 2026•Loading...

Overview

The "War on Terror," launched after September 11, 2001, refers to U.S.-led military campaigns primarily in the Middle East and Central Asia. Within the Pax Judaica framework, the War on Terror represents:

Officially: Response to terrorist attacks; spreading democracy; protecting American interests
Conspiratorially: Deliberate campaign to destroy Middle Eastern states preventing Pax Judaica
Geopolitically: Pax Americana serving Israeli strategic interests
Eschatologically: Fulfilling Stage II task - clearing obstacles for Stage III

Timeline of Major Interventions

The "Forever Wars" (2001-Present)

Country	Intervention Began	Type	Status (2026)	Deaths (Est.)

Afghanistan	October 2001	Invasion/Occupation	Ended 2021; Taliban rule	170,000+1
Iraq	March 2003	Invasion/Occupation	Ongoing instability	600,000+2
Pakistan	2004	Drone strikes	Reduced operations	15,000+3
Yemen	2002 (drones)	Drone strikes/proxy support	Civil war ongoing	377,000+4
Somalia	2007	Drone strikes/advisors	Ongoing	30,000+5
Libya	2011	NATO bombing	Failed state	30,000+6
Syria	2014	Airstrikes/special forces	Partial occupation	600,000+7

Total deaths (all conflicts): ~2 million+ (direct and indirect)8

Refugees created: 37+ million displaced9

Cost to U.S. taxpayers: $8+ trillion (Brown University estimate)10

Afghanistan (2001-2021)

The Invasion

Official justification: Al-Qaeda operated from Afghanistan; Taliban regime refused to hand over bin Laden16

Operation Enduring Freedom (October 2001):17

U.S. and allies invade
Taliban regime quickly toppled
New government installed (Hamid Karzai)
Mission declared accomplished... but occupation continued 20 years

The Forever War

What went wrong:18

Taliban never fully defeated; regrouped in Pakistan
Corruption in Afghan government
Opium production soared (90% of world's heroin)19
Trillions spent on nation-building (failed)
U.S. troops remained decades

The Withdrawal (2021)

Biden's exit:20

August 2021: U.S. completes withdrawal
Taliban rapidly retakes entire country
Chaotic evacuation from Kabul
Afghan government collapses immediately

Outcome: 20 years, $2 trillion, 170,000+ deaths, Taliban back in power.21

Iraq War (2003-2011; ongoing instability)

The False Pretenses

Official justification (2002-2003):22

Iraq possesses WMDs (weapons of mass destruction)
Saddam Hussein linked to Al-Qaeda
Saddam poses imminent threat

Reality (now documented):23

No WMDs found (UN inspectors were correct)
No Al-Qaeda link (Saddam and bin Laden were enemies)
No imminent threat (Iraq militarily weak after Gulf War)

How it happened: Bush administration pressured intelligence agencies; cherry-picked evidence; manufactured crisis.24

The Invasion and Occupation

March 2003: "Shock and Awe" campaign begins25

April 2003: Baghdad falls; Saddam regime toppled

May 2003: Bush declares "Mission Accomplished"

Then: Occupation and insurgency (2003-2011)

Sectarian civil war
Al-Qaeda in Iraq emerges (didn't exist pre-invasion)
Iranian influence grows (unintended consequence)
U.S. troop surge (2007)
Gradual withdrawal (2011)

ISIS emerges (2014): Direct result of Iraq War chaos26

The Consequences

Iraqi deaths: 600,000+ (Lancet study)2

U.S. deaths: 4,491 soldiers27

Cost: $1-3 trillion28

Outcome: Iraq destabilized; Iranian influence increased; ISIS created; sectarian fracture; ongoing violence

The Conspiracy Interpretation

"Seven Countries in Five Years"

General Wesley Clark's testimony (2007):29

Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander revealed Pentagon memo (post-9/11):

"We're going to take out seven countries in five years, starting with Iraq, and then Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and, finishing off, Iran."

The list:

✅ Iraq - Invaded 2003

✅ Libya - Destroyed 2011

✅ Syria - Civil war/intervention 2011-present

⚠️ Lebanon - Hezbollah targeted; 2006 war

✅ Somalia - Ongoing operations

⚠️ Sudan - South Sudan separated 2011; ongoing instability

⏳ Iran - Sanctions, threats, assassinations; full war pending?

Interpretation: War on Terror was pre-planned campaign to reshape Middle East, not reactive response to terrorism.

The Israel Connection

Cui bono? (Who benefits?)30

Israel's "Clean Break" strategy (1996):31

Document prepared for Netanyahu by American neoconservatives
Advocated: Remove Saddam Hussein, destabilize Syria, weaken Hezbollah
Striking similarity to actual U.S. actions post-9/11

Neoconservatives in Bush administration:32

Paul Wolfowitz (Deputy Defense Secretary)
Doug Feith (Under Secretary of Defense)
Elliott Abrams (NSC Middle East)
Richard Perle (Defense Policy Board chairman)
Many had advocated Iraq invasion since 1990s

The argument: War on Terror served Israeli strategic interests; Iraq, Libya, Syria were Israel's enemies; their destruction benefited Israel.33

Oil and Resources

Alternative theory: War for oil.34

Evidence:

Iraq has world's 5th largest oil reserves35
U.S. secured oil fields immediately in invasion36
Contracts to U.S. companies (Halliburton, etc.)37
Libya's oil wealth seized during intervention38

Counter-evidence: U.S. didn't directly control Iraqi oil; much went to China; not cost-effective.39

Synthesis: Multiple motives; oil, Israel, hegemony, MIC profits all factors.40

Libya (2011): From Richest African State to Failed State

Gaddafi's Libya (Pre-2011)

Documented facts about Libya under Gaddafi:41

Highest HDI (Human Development Index) in Africa
Free healthcare and education
Interest-free loans for housing
Subsidized fuel and food
African Union leadership
Gold dinar currency plan (threat to petrodollar)

Also documented: Authoritarian regime; human rights abuses; state-sponsored terrorism (Lockerbie).42

The "Humanitarian Intervention"

Arab Spring protests (February 2011): Anti-Gaddafi uprising begins43

March 2011: UN Security Council Resolution 1973 - "Protect civilians"44

Reality: NATO bombing campaign for regime change45

26,000+ sorties
7+ months of bombing
Support for rebel groups (including Al-Qaeda affiliates)
Gaddafi killed by rebels (October 2011)

The Aftermath: Catastrophe

Libya today (2026):46

No functioning government
Multiple rival militias
ISIS presence
Slave markets (documented by CNN)47
Refugee crisis fueling migration to Europe
Oil production collapsed

Hillary Clinton's reaction (2011): "We came, we saw, he died" [laughing]48

The Conspiracy Question

Why destroy Libya?49

Official answer: Humanitarian intervention; Gaddafi threatened civilians

Skeptical answers:

Gold dinar threatened dollar hegemony50

Gaddafi opposed Western banks/IMF51

Libya funded African independence projects52

Created failed state enabling European intervention

Part of seven-countries plan

Emails: Clinton emails (leaked) suggest regime change was goal from start, not protecting civilians.53

Syria: The Ongoing Catastrophe

The Civil War Begins (2011)

Official narrative: Arab Spring protests; Assad crackdown; civil war erupts.54

Documented U.S. involvement:55

Funding "moderate" rebels (many later joined Al-Qaeda/ISIS)
CIA operation "Timber Sycamore" (arming opposition)
Airstrikes (2014-present)
Occupying 1/3 of country (oil fields)

The Complexity

Multiple factions:56

Assad government (backed by Russia, Iran, Hezbollah)
ISIS (Islamic State)
Al-Qaeda affiliates (Al-Nusra/HTS)
"Moderate" rebels (FSA - mostly defunct)
Kurdish forces (YPG/SDF - U.S.-backed)
Turkey (anti-Kurdish)

Result: 600,000+ deaths; 13 million displaced; country destroyed.7

The Conspiracy Theories

Theory 1: U.S. created ISIS to justify intervention57

Evidence cited:

ISIS emerged from Iraq War chaos (created by U.S. invasion)
ISIS never attacked Israel (suspicious to conspiracy theorists)
Leaked DIA document (2012) predicted ISIS rise, called it "strategic asset"58
U.S. support for "rebels" often ended up arming jihadists

Counter-evidence: ISIS is genuine jihadist movement; attacked U.S. interests; no proof of direct U.S. control.59

Theory 2: Pipeline wars60

Qatar-Turkey pipeline needs Syria (Assad refused)
Iran-Iraq-Syria pipeline (Assad supported)
War to enable Western pipeline access

Theory 3: Greater Israel requires Syrian territory61

Golan Heights annexed (U.S. recognized 2019)
Southern Syria destabilized
Eventually enables territorial expansion

The Refugee Crisis: Weaponized Migration?

The Numbers (Documented)

Refugees from War on Terror:9

Afghanistan: 2.7 million refugees
Iraq: 9.2 million displaced
Syria: 13.5 million displaced
Yemen: 4.3 million displaced
Libya: 1.3 million displaced
Total: 37+ million people displaced

Where they went:62

Europe: 2+ million (2015-2016 peak)
Turkey: 3.7 million
Jordan: 1.3 million
Lebanon: 1.5 million
Camps across Middle East

European Destabilization

The 2015 refugee crisis:63

Millions entered Europe via Mediterranean
Merkel's "wir schaffen das" (we can do it) - opened borders
Social tensions erupted
Rise of right-wing parties
Brexit partially motivated by migration fears

The Conspiracy Claim

The argument: Refugee crisis deliberately created to destabilize Europe.64

Alleged purposes:

Weaken European nationalism

Create chaos enabling authoritarian control

Divide populations (migrants vs. natives)

Force Europeans to accept Israel (common enemy: Muslim immigration)

Fulfill Pax Judaica plan for fragmenting both Middle East and Europe

Supporting pattern:

U.S. destroyed countries → refugees created → Europe destabilized
Angela Merkel welcomed refugees despite predictable problems
No compensation from U.S. for Europe bearing refugee burden

Counter-argument: Unintended consequences; no evidence of coordination; genuine humanitarian disaster.65

The Military-Industrial Complex Profits

The Business of War

Defense contractors' profits (documented):66

Company	2001-2021 Contracts	Stock Price Growth

Lockheed Martin	$445 billion	+1,300%
Boeing	$321 billion	+950%
General Dynamics	$208 billion	+625%
Raytheon	$196 billion	+470%
Northrop Grumman	$177 billion	+1,200%

Follow the money: War on Terror extremely profitable for defense industry.67

Eisenhower's warning (1961): "Beware the military-industrial complex."68

Perpetual war model: Peace is bad for business; need ongoing conflicts.69

The Pax Judaica Framework Interpretation

Stage II Tasks

Pax Americana's eschatological role (per framework):

✅ Destroy secular Arab nationalism (Iraq, Libya, Syria)

✅ Weaken Islamic resistance (Taliban, Hezbollah, Iran under siege)

✅ Fragment Middle East into failed states

✅ Eliminate Israel's threats (Saddam, Gaddafi, weakening Assad)

✅ Create chaos enabling future Greater Israel expansion

⏳ Prepare for Iran (final target)

The pattern claimed: Methodical destruction of countries obstructing Pax Judaica.

Iran: The Last Target?

Why Iran matters:70

Only regional power not aligned with U.S./Israel
Supports Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Iraqi militias
Nuclear program (unconfirmed weapons intent)
Ideological opposition to Israel

Current status (2026):71

Maximum pressure sanctions
Assassinations of scientists/generals
Covert operations
Constant threat of war
No full invasion yet

Prediction: Iran war is final step before Pax Judaica transition; Stage II → Stage III.72

Discussion Questions

Was War on Terror genuine counterterrorism or pretext for imperial expansion?

Did 9/11 attackers succeed beyond their wildest dreams by provoking U.S. overreaction?

How much did Israel benefit from U.S. destroying its enemies?

Were refugee crises unintended consequences or deliberate destabilization?

Will there be accountability for Iraq War lies and subsequent catastrophes?

Discussion(0 comments)

Join the conversationSign in to share your perspectiveSign In

Loading comments...

Contribute to this Article

Help improve this article by suggesting edits, adding sources, or expanding content.

Submit via EmailSend your edits

References

Afghanistan deaths: Watson Institute, Brown University. "Costs of War" project. https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/

https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/

Iraq deaths: Burnham, Gilbert, et al. "Mortality after the 2003 invasion of Iraq." The Lancet 368:9545 (2006): 1421-1428.

Pakistan drone deaths: Bureau of Investigative Journalism data. https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/

https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/

Yemen deaths: ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project). Includes war and indirect deaths.

Somalia deaths: Uppsala Conflict Data Program estimates.

Libya deaths: Estimated from civil war (2011) and aftermath. Multiple sources.

Syria deaths: Syrian Observatory for Human Rights; UN estimates. 600,000+ consensus.

Total deaths: Brown University Costs of War project. https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/

https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/

Refugees: UNHCR data. "Global Trends" reports 2001-2024.

Cost: Brown University Costs of War. $8 trillion estimate includes veterans care, interest on debt, etc.

9/11 facts: 9/11 Commission Report (2004). Official government account.

Al-Qaeda responsibility: 9/11 Commission Report; bin Laden statements.

Motivations: Bin Laden's 1996 and 1998 fatwas. Available in public record.

Immediate aftermath: Timeline documented extensively; Congressional Record.

Bush Doctrine: Bush, George W. State of the Union 2002. Full text available.

Afghanistan justification: Bush administration statements; Congressional AUMF.

Operation Enduring Freedom: U.S. Department of Defense archives.

Afghanistan failure analysis: Bacevich, Andrew. America's War for the Greater Middle East. Random House, 2016. ISBN: 978-0553393934.

Afghan opium: UNODC (UN Office on Drugs and Crime). Annual "Afghanistan Opium Survey."

Biden withdrawal: Extensive media coverage August 2021; White House statements.

Afghanistan outcome: Watson Institute Costs of War summary.

Iraq WMD claims: Bush, Powell speeches 2002-2003; UN presentations. Now discredited.

No WMDs: Iraq Survey Group final report (2004); Charles Duelfer report.

Intelligence manipulation: Senate Intelligence Committee report (2008); Downing Street Memo (2005).

Invasion timeline: Extensive documentation; DoD records.

ISIS from Iraq War: Cockburn, Patrick. The Rise of Islamic State. Verso, 2015. ISBN: 978-1784785062.

U.S. military deaths: Department of Defense casualty reports.

Iraq War cost: Stiglitz, Joseph and Linda Bilmes. The Three Trillion Dollar War. W.W. Norton, 2008. ISBN: 978-0393067019.

Wesley Clark interview: Democracy Now, March 2, 2007. Video and transcript available.

Cui bono analysis: Mearsheimer, John and Stephen Walt. The Israel Lobby. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007. ISBN: 978-0374177720.

"Clean Break" document: Perle, Richard, et al. "A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm" (1996). Available online.

Neocons in Bush admin: Public record; see Mearsheimer & Walt (2007).

Israel benefit argument: Multiple critics; e.g., Mearsheimer & Walt (2007); Petras, James. The Power of Israel in the United States. Clarity Press, 2006.

"War for oil" theory: Harvey, David. The New Imperialism. Oxford, 2003. ISBN: 978-0199264315.

Iraq oil reserves: U.S. Energy Information Administration data.

Oil fields secured: News coverage March-April 2003; military records.

Halliburton contracts: Public record; Congressional investigations.

Libya oil: Various reports on post-Gaddafi oil sector.

Oil theory critique: Stokes, Doug and Sam Raphael. Global Energy Security and American Hegemony. Johns Hopkins, 2010. ISBN: 978-0801894558.

Multiple motives: Synthesized view in Bacevich (2016).

Libya under Gaddafi: Documented by UN Human Development Reports; World Bank data.

Gaddafi regime abuses: Human Rights Watch reports 1980s-2011; Lockerbie bombing attribution.

Arab Spring Libya: Timeline in news archives; Vandewalle, Dirk. A History of Modern Libya. Cambridge, 2012. ISBN: 978-1107619678.

UNSC Resolution 1973: Official UN document. March 17, 2011.

NATO campaign: Documented extensively; criticism in Kuperman, Alan. "Obama's Libya Debacle." Foreign Affairs March/April 2015.

Libya today: Multiple sources; failed state status consensus among analysts.

Slave markets: Elbagir, Nima. "People for Sale." CNN investigation, November 2017.

Clinton reaction: CBS News interview, October 2011. Video widely available.

Why destroy Libya?: Debated extensively; see Kuperman (2015); alternative theories online.

Gold dinar theory: Rickards, James. Currency Wars. Portfolio, 2011. Speculative; not mainstream.

Gaddafi and IMF: Documented opposition to Western financial institutions.

African projects: Gaddafi's pan-African initiatives documented.

Clinton emails: WikiLeaks release 2016. Emails show regime change intent.

Syria civil war origins: Multiple sources; Lesch, David. Syria: The Fall of the House of Assad. Yale, 2012. ISBN: 978-0300196078.

U.S. involvement: Timber Sycamore exposed 2017; CIA program documented.

Syrian factions: Complex; mapped by multiple think tanks and media.

"ISIS created by U.S." theory: Widespread online; no solid evidence.

DIA document: Judicial Watch FOIA release. Document is authentic; interpretation contested.

ISIS reality: Stern, Jessica and J.M. Berger. ISIS: The State of Terror. Ecco, 2015. ISBN: 978-0062395542.

Pipeline wars theory: Various analyses; e.g., Mitchell, Timothy. Carbon Democracy. Verso, 2011. ISBN: 978-1844677450.

Greater Israel theory: Speculative; see related articles in this collection.

Refugee destinations: UNHCR data; European Commission statistics.

2015 crisis: Extensive media coverage; academic studies emerging.

Deliberate destabilization claim: Conspiracy literature; e.g., online forums. Not mainstream.

Unintended consequences view: Mainstream refugee studies consensus.

Defense contractor profits: Public companies; SEC filings; stock data.

War profits analysis: Hartung, William. Prophets of War. Nation Books, 2011. ISBN: 978-1568586632.

Eisenhower farewell address: January 17, 1961. Full text and video available.

Perpetual war model: Bacevich (2016); Turse, Nick. The Complex. Metropolitan, 2008. ISBN: 978-0805081503.

Iran's role: Parsi, Trita. Treacherous Alliance. Yale, 2007. ISBN: 978-0300120578.

Iran status (2026): Ongoing news coverage; Carnegie Endowment analyses.

Stage II → III prediction: Pax Judaica framework literature; speculative.