@heller
"could obama be supporting the rise of isis"
US politics are shamefully dirty. As the US government is similarly incredibly NOT forthright on a plethora of issues (JFK's assassination, Pearl Harbor, NSA spying, etc ad infinitum) - these are the kinds of behaviors that give root to conspiracy theories.
The USA has done a fantastic job of PR'ing the world to look like the victim of Iran's "aggressions" - however a simple review of the Iran's history graced by US foreign policy should enlighten any reader as to why the people of Iran generally hate the USA more than their own somewhat oppressive government.
President Reagan epitomized political lying by simply giving it another name - "disinformation" - and that made everything OK. THe USA has made a habit of giving evil, unethical, irresponsible, un-American activities new names and in some cases even legalizing - kidnapping = rendition, simulated drowning torture - aggressive interrogation, assassination of US citizens abroad without due process of law = in the interest of national security.
As for wikipedia - it's a reasonably good source of general information for general things. Many of wikipedia's information on sovereign countries used to be derived from the CIA world factbook - a free publication (somewhat dated) that the CIA used to update annually.
THe US government can be an incredible source of free, timely, and reasonably accurate (if not biased) information on population demographics, economics, politics, etc. Good researchers typically seek multiple sources for confirmation - as appropriate.
Did you know the US SR-71 spyplane was kept secret from the general US public for over a decade (possibly prompting a plethora of UFO sightings during those operational years)?
THe US government is NOT our friend (as US citizens). These days, we have an increasingly adversarial relationship with our government and elected officials. Corruption is rampant - want to bribe a US government official - buy a ludicrously priced dinner plate (seriously - can dinner REALLy cost USD 1-100k+ per plate) at a fund-raiser. Or more easily - a Political Action Committee (PAC or super-PAC). These are legal organizations with allegedly NO direct ties to the government official, who campaign on his/her behalf. PACs are blatant black holes for unlimited campaign contributions by special interest groups (aka corporations) - a loophole in the US political election laws. Big business bought out our government decades ago. The signs are evident and growing.