David Rothkopf, writing in Foreign Policy, argues that like Madonna, the Middle East is over the hill as a central focus of U.S. strategic interest. Over the hill but still on stage; it is an interesting analogy.
In short, Rothkopf says we no longer much need their oil, as a result no longer need Israel as a base, and are tired of the region and its never-ending problems. He believes the Middle East is no longer important to us but we haven't figured out yet that we can let it go to blazes on its own.
I wonder if he's right?
