Tom I have a huge amount of respect for you, obviously your life experiences both in and out of the Marine Corp have forged you into a well cultured, intelligent man. You are spot on with most of you points. I was not insinuating that this could happen, I was offering up the view point from the muzzle end.
The middle east has been invaded by super powers that do have the capability to launch massive ground assaults, they have had their villages burned to ruble and they have had leaders elected only to be toppled by the guy with the most guns. It must be absolutely terrifying for the majority of their population to know that at any minute the US or NATO forces could come storming in, arrest whomever they want and "rebuild" in a fashion that best suits "their" needs.
The satire I posted was just an example of what they have gone through. The question is how would the citizenry here would accept such acts? My guess would be, not very well. I have a feeling that the people not the government, would lead a defensive strike similar to what happened in the revolutionary war.
The situation in the middle east is indeed dire, they have a fringe fanatical group that get the press but on the whole it is the people demanding stability. The choice to run their country as they see fit without military intervention from anyone. Religion plays such a small role it seems ridiculous to even mention it, but that is what the American press does best. Sensationalize, lie and stir up feelings of animosity towards anything you don't fully understand.