Should we compare historical figures with the morality of today rather than the morality of their time? Doesn't that make everyone born before us evil?

>east or west through Iraq or Afghanistan
That threatens to start a war with either nation and could bog down the army for years.
>north by the Caspian Sea
Isn't that Russian water? They cant go that way without violating their space.
>south by the Persian Gulf
Then the Americans have to drive north for days with mountains on both sides where Iranians have almost certainly laid traps and ambushes. That's a meat grinder.
I'm not an expert on military strategy, but I don't see how American boots on the ground will help anything. Their only option is a slog or brutal march through fortified territory.