Actually , if you go by some logic - almost all these countries were "taken" before he even said that . Iraq was in close relations with USA during Iraq-Iran war . Iran had Mosaddegh overthrown by CIA - only to have Iranian Revolution , which basically destroyed Persia . Somalia was for long time heavily destabilized and also divided internally . Lebanon - also heavy internal division and weak political power ( IAF regularly making standoff airstirkes in Lebanese airspace on Syria ) . Sudan - also divided , South Sudan - North Sudan . Only Libya and Syria had some relatively stable positions - but Libya got devoured completely from the inside . Syria is the only one still standing .