The mid-east "balance of power" theory, which has provided arms to Islamic terrorists in Syria, comes from the same place as the Vietnam war "domino" theory does. The "containment" theory is what presently drives the US to run battleships through the Sea of China and the Black Sea. 
These theories, which are divorced from reality, are dreamed up by ideologues and think tanks to justify blatant aggression, and to support the arms merchants.
Unfortunately, all these theories are leading the US to a nuclear confrontation. Psychotic neo-cons in the US gov. will continue to provide theories and bad guys to prove their theory of "First Strike Superiority" theory.
I, for one, don't support their cruel, destructive theories.