Ok a quick re-cap, Iraq and Iran go to war, UK provide both sides with weapons, the US supports Iraq with aid, weapons etc. At this point both are happy to deal with Saddam Hussain, although few years later an embargo is placed on the selling of such items.
Moving forward, Hussain who has a large army and weapons gets a bit power hungry and the Gulf war ensues. Saudi's obviously not happy, US and UK neither short war and he's back in check.
Skip forward again and al-Qaeda have risen up and attacked but somehow a war with Iraq is started as they were supposed to have WMDs..Saddam is toppled and a government put in place, years of sectarianism should be ended with democracy.
Roll on to today, the government has lost control and the strongest Sunni faction have emerged looking at taking control of the country and whatever else might be up for grabs in Syria. US start air strikes, followed by UK.
With that in mind, I have to wonder why there is so much interest as to what happens in this country / region. It's not as if anyone is lining up to go free Tibet from China, or irradicate Boko Haram..the child abducting killers..although the #BringBackOurGirls campaign was moving.
Get out and stay out would be my stance, but it's too late for that, so I guess it's the war method again, never know it might work this time!