We've only empowered Iran (probably N. Korea as well).  Although I fear a wider conflict involving the Kurds more so than Sunni/Shiites.  The Kurds have been oppressed for too long and by too many countries.  Our war in Iraq has disrupted the balance of power in the whole region and has lead to huge risk of a wider conflict in the middle east, and therefore to the oil that underpins our economy.  

As for Al Qaeda, I don't believe we'll ever win as long as we exploit the oil resources of the Mid East.