It's my impression that the USA has been planning a regional war in the Middle East for a long time and that they intended from the beginning to use Iraq as their central staging point with permanent American military bases there from which they could strike in any direction. Their targets? Iran, Syria, and eventually (if necessary) Saudi Arabia. That's if the Saudis do not cooperate 100% with American aims. Their prize? Control of the entire Middle East (shared jointly with Israel) and control of all the oil there and in the Caspian region.

The problem with such a plan? It's far too costly, basically unworkable, and if carried too far it will lead to a fullscale Third World War with both Russia and China.