The Middle East At Crossroads

Following the Arab Spring, the countries of the Middle East may have entered an Islamist "Winter''; they seem to have set themselves on different paths, but all are looking for a new model of governance. Egypt remains the region's linchpin. While Islamists seem to have gained the upper hand in Egypt for now, they apparently cannot govern, and Egypt's people (and other peoples in the region) are in revolt at the ballot box and in the streets. The issues for the United States remain oil and the Iranian nuclear program. For Iran, its nuclear program has proved to be a double-edged sword. However, the United States continues to misread Iran and is dealing with a powerful, domestic "engagement'' lobby that favors Iran. Palestine is another issue, but with recent significant Qatari investment, it may have turned a corner economically. The U.S. role in the region does vary by country, although the goal is still to extend its influence and to advocate for and support democracy.