We got pulled into the Middle East in the 1790s with Barbary Conflict. We weren't looking for it, but they started it.
People forget that Islam has always been about Global Jihad and Expansion.
They started wars with the Byzantine Empire and Sassanid Persia and overran both. They invaded the Kingdom of the Visigoths in Iberia and took it over. They invaded France but got their butts kicked by Charles Martel at Tours.
They spent almost 1000 years trying to take over Anatolia until the Ottomans finally did it and took Constantinople which lead to brutal Muslim conquest/oppression of the various peoples in the Balkans. They were only stopped at Vienna which they besieged twice.
They have ruthlessly expanded constantly on our ancestors. To the Arab World, America (regardless of how we see ourselves) are still Christian Franks and the enemy.