The CIA and bin Laden, et al.

Factual Questions
1

Not being a international events buff, I decided to learn a little more about Osama bin Laden. I learned (and I understand that it’s already common knowledge) that bin Laden was trained by the CIA during the Afghan-Soviet war. At the very least, the CIA had more than a minor part in bin Laden’s acquisition of military and arms knowledge.

Armed with this newfound knowledge, I start a discussion with some fellow commuter friends this morning on the train. This is when I learn that the relationship between the CIA and bin Laden was already common knowledge. But one response shocked me: (paraphrased) “We all know that the CIA trained bin Laden, but the US Government also trained (or put into power) Manuel Noriega, Saddam Hussein, Muomar Khaddafi, the Ayotollah Khomeini, Timothy McVeigh, and Lee Harvey Oswald.” I found all of this quite unbelievable.

So, I have 2 questions: 1) Is any of this true? and 2) Is there anyone else that we’ve trained or given power to who has come back to bite us?

2

Most of it is most definitely rubbish. I don’t know about Noriega but Saddam got there by himself in the most brutal fashion. However, once he got there, America with a little help from Germany, France, Britain and others did a lot to keep him there and keep him well armed and dangerous.

I doubt America had anything to do with Quaddafi (other than annoy him every now and then).

The CIA helped the Shah of Iran into power in the early 50s. This regime was one of the worst in twentieth century Middle-East. It was these guys that Khomeini toppled which is the opposite to what you heard.

I think McVeigh and Oswald were in the army or USMC but if that is what your buddies meant then I think they are trying to sneak it through on a techicality.j

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