Ambassador Dan Kurtzer

They probably can't be responsible for all of their security, but there's no reason we have to carry everybody.

Working with them over time multilaterally in a regional security architecture is probably much wiser than simply selling them arms and then being their protecting umbrella if people start to shoot at them.

One takeaway is not to expect fundamental change after this war in the way the region is organized, either in its politics or in its economics.

The problems that beset these societies are persistent and endemic, and it would require the kind of leadership that we haven't seen on the part of regional leaders or extra-regional leaders to effect change.

Number two, that military power will continue to dominate the discourse in this region rather than diplomacy.

The third takeaway is the weakness of leadership in the region and at home.

I don't say that in partisan terms, but rather the fact that we have a country that's not producing the kinds of leaders who think beyond their party narrative.

who think beyond what's going to happen in the next election.

And you have weak leaders in the region who are afraid of their own publics and therefore unwilling to extend themselves and enter into processes that could possibly lead to positive change.