Options for US Limited as Mideast Crises Spread

Three crises have been building in the Middle East, and Iran is behind each, according to author Robin Wright. The Islamic Republic has supported Hamas and Hezbollah, and both are currently escalating violence with Israel. Iran also lends support to the Shiite militias that move Iraq toward all-out civil war. Iran has also refused to respond to a package of incentives offered by the US and allies to stop its nuclear-weapons program. Despite the common thread to current crises in the Middle East, the US has limited options. Observers suggest that the US has “sanctioned [itself] out of leverage on Iran,” with few remaining means for pressuring the country on any of the three issues. Consequently, the US has reached out to its allies in the region, such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, to do the diplomacy. The means is indirect at best, and the Arab countries could lose regional credibility if they are seen as acting for US interests. – YaleGlobal