American foreign policy this fall will feature the Middle East: we will see a push for direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, pressure on Iran to give up its nuclear-weapons program and the hope that Iraq will remain stable as U.S. troops leave. Experience suggests that the chances of success for all three are poor. Over the years, the Middle East has proven inhospitable, if not downright hostile, to American initiatives. Recognizing this, the two previous administrations launched signature programs to transform the region into a friendlier place for American interests. Both failed. The Obama team should try a different approach, one that begins at home.
这个秋季，美国外交政策将向中东地区倾斜：对巴以和谈的推动，迫使伊朗放弃核武及伊拉克撤军后的社会稳定。以往的经验表明上述问题的成功机会很低。多年来，the Middle East has proven inhospitable, if not downright hostile, to American initiatives.鉴于此，前两届美国政府通过签署项目将该地区改变成一个符合美国利益的地方。他们都失败了。奥巴马政府需要尝试一条新的路子，一条从自身开始的路子。