[selimthegrim]

Er, can you substantiate this? Wouldn't they prefer pocket puppet dictators? It seems keeping the region off balance is a cold comfort.

[colordrops]

Saudi is the puppet dictator that funnels support to the Sunni militants (ISIS). Iran supports the Shia. Pretty simple dichotomy.

[selimthegrim]

Saudi is throwing returning ISIS volunteers in jail and people like al-Maqdisi and al-Odeh have heaped criticism upon ISIS for being an illegitimate caliphate and violating the obligation to obey 'ulu al 'amr

[marcosdumay]

Read the cables.

The US does prefer puppet dictators. But most dictators do not stay puppet-like without a reason.

[selimthegrim]

I've read plenty of cables. I remember them bitching about Syria and listening to Saudi but I can't recall besides maybe giving some sort of ambitious April Glaspie type green light to Saudi Arabia (to support ISIS) anything like what the poster above is saying about ISIS.

[thwest]

The US very publicly supported the FSA, and while under the advisement and training of the CIA, the FSA fizzled out and most anti-Assad fighters left and joined Daesh or al Nusra.