Possible Foreign Policy For America In The Middle East

Syria

• No support for Sunni extremists. [1]
• Encourage Iran to stop support for Shiite extremists. 
• Peace talks / Negotiations - An interim neutral "Caretaker Government" holding elections. [2] 
• Threat of international court - Crime against humanity. 

Saudi Arabia  

• Relies on America for consolidating its dominance in the Middle East. 
• Message to the Saudis - It's not necessary to crush your opponent for regional dominance. Better - bolster your own economy.

Iran

• Why can't the West form close ties with Iran (with Nuclear deals)? 

Egypt 

• Above all, mass killings, etc. of Muslim brotherhood supporters has to be stopped immediately. 

Encourage both Iran and Saudi Arabia to bolster their economies - more economic interdependence, more commerce with America with benefit to both.


Factors

• Our increasing Energy independence. 
• Circumstances in Russia-Ukraine.

Notes on Foreign policy

Consider both

• what is beneficial to you
• what is beneficial to the country you are considering (view from their perspective)

If it's non-zero sum, you can make them work with you so that it's beneficial to both.


Both sides involved in a relationship feel comfortable when each has interests for which it knows that the other depends on it.
US - Saudi relationship (since 1945)

• Security assurance from America and 
• Oil from Saudi Arabia.

Previous Posts

1. Conflicting Interest In Regional Dominance Encouraging Militants And Extremists In Middle East: Is It Acceptable?
2. Caretaker Government Can Show The Way Of Peace In Syria
3. Peace in Syria