There’s a lot of debate among Americans about whether this war was justified. Thirteen soldiers came home in coffins, and many more are injured. It’s a heavy subject, one that isn’t taken lightly. Speaking personally, I chose this country as my home rather than being born into it, and I take pride in flying its flag.
I grew up near the Iranian border, witnessing the impact of war firsthand. I still make trips across the Middle East. Just recently, I visited Erbil, Riyadh, and Dubai, and, oddly enough, when the cameras are off, people there don’t express anger towards the U.S. Many seem relieved.
Critics seem to overlook something important. For millions in the Middle East, this conflict didn’t start recently; it has roots that go back decades. What has changed is the approach taken by the current administration—it’s now more about confronting the issues rather than just managing them. Locals notice these developments. Trust me, they absolutely notice.
Most Americans probably don’t pause to ask what these people actually wish for. It’s not about war, or jihad, or martyrdom. Across nations like Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, there are around 140 million young people who, like young Americans, aspire for jobs, stability, and a future free from foreign ideologies. New leadership in places like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kurdistan, and Syria is being shaped for that very purpose. In conversations with young professionals in Erbil, Riyadh, and Dubai, they talk about launching startups, advancements in AI, and the opportunities on the horizon.
Looking at the past gives insight. Fifty years ago, the UAE was just a barren desert. Today, it’s a global hub, attracting people from all over, including Americans, who live, invest, and innovate there. The Kurdistan region, strategically challenged, has remarkably fostered one of the most open societies in the Middle East, providing refuge for persecuted Christians. Despite heavy economic challenges, including blockades by Iranian-backed groups, Kurdistan has developed a thriving economy that supports a significant U.S. military presence. People are migrating there because it works. These examples hint at what the broader region could achieve.
The Middle East is not a burden. It is a region of extraordinary talent, ambition, and wealth, held in check by a violent minority, and they have never been weaker than they are now.
However, the same forces always seem to stifle progress. Armed groups loyal to Iran, based in places like Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, receive directives from Tehran and continue to obstruct the brighter future the region seeks. For over four decades, one city has been the source of instability that affects every corner, not out of a desire from the Iranian populace, but rather due to the interests of a few who benefit from the chaos.
Recent events tell a sobering story. Since February 28, Iran has launched attacks on any neighboring country inclined to align with the West, yet not one of those nations has retaliated. The UAE has been subjected to over 2,800 missile and drone strikes, costing 13 lives and injuring more than 200. Kurdistan has faced upwards of 700 assaults, resulting in 14 deaths, including a family killed in the night. Countries like Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar have also been affected, but none posed any real threat to Iran; their only “offense” was choosing a different future.
These groups are not just wreaking havoc in the Middle East; for decades, they’ve been responsible for American casualties, too.
Previous administrations tended to ignore these issues. They downplayed the risks, assuring the public that everything was under control and passing the challenges onto the next generation. But overlooking the Middle East always carries a price. President Obama’s withdrawal from Iraq created a vacuum that ISIS exploited. His nuclear agreement funneled billions to the Iranian regime and its proxy militias. Biden referred to this as strategic patience, but that patience led us to the events of October 7. The underlying problems were never solved; in fact, they often escalated. This administration has taken a different route.
I’ve lived this experience. I didn’t merely observe it from afar. I’ve heard missiles hit near my school. I know families that left in the dead of night, desperate for safer cities. The fear that blankets the region isn’t rooted in American initiatives. If the world turns a blind eye, meaningful change may slip out of reach.
The Middle East should not be seen as a burden. It harbors immense talent and drive, thwarted by a violent minority, who are, arguably, weaker than they’ve ever been. The people here have been pleading for global attention for ages—and they likely will continue to do so.
