I'm half way through tGS and something popped into my mind.....what is the point of the Aes Sedai? Are they comic relief? Are they just filler?

So, yes and yes.

Have the Aes Sedai contributed anything major to the storyline? Have they discovered any knowledge about the Last Battle to help Rand? Have they helped with any of the conflicts among nations/factions to help bring order to Randland prior to the Last Battle? Have they even captured or killed a Forsaken? They just keep fighting among themselves.....what's the point!

They've screwed a lot of obvious stuff up.
Why would they ever choose past history as an example of what might happen now?
Nope, they've just exacerbated problems in other nations.
Neg-a-tivo on the actually capturing a bad guy/girl. and they lost the two they had. Twice!!!
Partisanship is a nasty thing.

Thoughts?

See! Perfect politicians!