Yes, but religion is a part of the equation, because some religious leaders and some religious people believe religion is very much the core of the issue.
Which is why there is no difference in oppressing people on basis of power, than on basis of religion. End result is the same.
Also, when christians and other religious minorities are maltreated and oppressed on basis of religion in Pakistan, then that is wrong too. Oppression is wrong, regardless of what the justification.
Religion could be a matter for those who are fighting in battle field. But power and resources are the objectives of those who have interest in syria, iraq, taiwan ukraine etc. Do you know how it becomes a religious issue? it is when US wants the govts of people of their choice in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Egypt. And Russia wants bashar ul asad rule Syria, for example.
Religion becomes an issue, when people decide to make it an issue. Religious zealotry and secterian differences (among muslims) existed in the middle east, long before US even became an independent country, and they will continue to exist long after the oil fields in the middle east dry up. Then we can always argue who is more at fault, the ones exploiting others weaknesses, or the ones who decide to make their religious identity a weakness which can be exploited.
There are also many other religiously sanctioned reasons for the struggle in middle east. Ploy to position oneself for armageddon, attaining promised land, struggle to make your religion the prevailing one (by any means) etc.
Obviously I am against foreign policies which causes war and havoc in other nations. But I also do believe that people in those nations must make sure to not have weaknesses which can be exploited in such ploys.
If you have a weakness, and are in posession of a desirable object, people will exploit your weakness to attain said object.
