True that the more America stays out of it, the freer hand Iran and Russia have to meddle to their heart's contents. Our only options are to either essentially let them take over the region, or try to meddle better than they do.

Take a look at what the purpose of government should be. We are mostly continuing policies of old kingdoms. Instead of organizing in a way to optimize for good development and peaceful lives for citizens, most democratic governments are trying to destabilize even other democratic governments. By definition a democracy is government by the people and those in power are doing stuff on behalf of their citizens. So citizens need to keep an eye on what their government does. Otherwise they are equally responsible for the atrocities carried by their government. Now for citizens to know what their government is doing, there should be transparency. The information should not be lies and opinion noise instead of facts and truths. There shouldn't be media disinformation. Those resorting to that shouldn't go scott free. Basically every human wants to live well. Have systems in place that optimize for well being of all. Thats the world I dream.

I don't think Russia is interested in meddling.

If anything, it seems like a made up "threat" the US officials can use to justify whatever the heck they're doing.