One sector of the US economy is thriving: US weapons firms are doing big business in the Middle East.
To learn what kind of governments the Empire really supports, take a close look at one of the their favorite satraps of the region--United Arab Emirates:
The rapid expansion of the UAE military has the tacit support, if not outright blessing, of the U.S. government.
...There are at least two reasons for the administration’s position. First and foremost, it regards the UAE as one of its most important allies in the region. The Emirates supported both Iraq Wars, and it currently is involved in cracking down on the protest movement in Bahrain — it sent 500 police officers to suppress the revolt in the tiny Gulf kingdom. In the midst of the crackdown, Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed was welcomed by the White House with open arms.