which I don't think is necessarily true, that still doesn't mean both sides (light and shadow) wouldn't be better off without them. If anything they probably help the Shadow slightly by perverting the definition of a 'darkfriend' but still they do remind people that darkfriends exist at least.

As far as other contenders go.. how about the Illuminators (largely destroyed now, but Aludra's plans could still be very useful), or the Band of the Red Hand (technically they are only loyal to Mat), or, frankly, even the Kin are more useful than the Whitecloaks.

But yeah, Aes Sedai are probably just as bad, only in different ways.