system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5; The war in the Middle East (Incredibly embarrassing to ask as a US citizen, but I want to learn.) 

I could go on all day about how many excuses I have for not being up to date with the war in the middle east (mainly being that I was in elementary school in 2001) but that's besides the point. 

I think a good place to start would be a simple explanation before I read huge detailed articles, so that I have a simple understanding of everything to refer to. 

EDIT: Should have said conflict, not war. Also, I am not putting "Answered" yet because I still want more people to enter the discussion, although great answers have been given. 

EDIT 2: I love this place, so much time and effort put in to answering the question I was afraid I would just get made fun of for asking (like "wow get informed dummy lol"). Thanks to all who answered.
gpt
There are several conflicts going on in the Middle East. The ones most Americans are thinking of include:

* The War in Afghanistan, which the US is now pulling out of

* The War in Iraq, which the US is no longer directly involved in

* US involvement in Pakistan, where the US uses drone strikes and has a complex relationship with the Pakistani government

In addition, the following conflicts are also ongoing in the Middle East

* Al-Qaeda in Yemen, where the US provides drone strikes and technical assistance to the Yemeni government

* Conflict between Israel and Palestinian groups over the Gaza Strip and West Bank. The US is backing Israel in this conflict with funding and weapons..

* Espionage and sabotage against Iran's nuclear program by the US and Israel.

* Civil war in Syria between the government and opposition groups/rebels. The US is not directly involved, but is indirectly involved through diplomatic and intelligence channels.

And of course:

* The Libyan Civil War, which ended after United Nations intervention in 2011.


Each of these conflicts has a complex background, some going back all the way to World War II. Which do you want to know about in particular?