The age of U.S. dominance in the Middle East has ended and a new era in the modern history of the region has begun. It will be shaped by new actors and new forces competing for influence, and to master it, Washington will have to rely more on diplomacy than on military might.

A decade ago, when the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq began, the United States chose to immerse itself in the greater Middle East when it had little reason to dive in. But now that most Americans want little to do with the region, U.S. officials are finding it difficult to turn away.

A la fecha, la administración Bush ha mostrado que le gustaría resolver sus problemas con Corea del Norte e Irán tal como lo hizo con Irak: mediante el cambio de régimen. Es fácil ver por qué. Pero es improbable que la estrategia funcione, al menos no tan rápido como se espera. Se requiere un planteamiento mucho más amplio, que implique negociaciones, sanciones y la amenaza de la fuerza