The Limits Of U.S. Might In Middle East

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta comments during a joint press conference with Japanese Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto at the Pentagon, Aug. 3, 2012. The two defense leaders met to discuss issues of mutual concern. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

Panetta's Message Of Reassurance Also Shows Limits Of U.S. Might In Middle East -- CNN

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's recent travels to Tunisia, Egypt, Israel and Jordan underscored the practical limits of U.S. military power in the region at a time when the threats from Iran's nuclear ambitions and Syria's disintegrating regime could rapidly, and with little predictability, destabilize the always fragile Middle East.

Everywhere he went, Panetta was questioned about U.S. intentions and policies toward Iran and Syria, and he basically offered an answer that, because of those limits, is interestingly the same for both.

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My Comment: So much for American strength and leadership .... our policy is to now publicly state that we will defend our allies, and to press the international community to maintain a unified approach. But considering how draining the Middle East has been to the U.S. for the past 10 years .... coupled with a financial and debt crisis that continues to get worse back home .... I guess U.S. options are now limited to just words and public statments.