America seems to be stuck in the Middle East,
and yet this week, we're making a bold prediction:
that the war in Iran, however it ends,
will mark the moment when America pulls back,
finally relinquishing its hegemony over the region.
For the first time in a century,
an outside country would not be the overarching source of order
in the Middle East.
Will that trigger score-settling and violence or a new beginning?
I'm Edward Carr, The Economist's deputy editor,
and welcome back to The Insider.
And with me to discuss this,
I have Josie Delap, our Middle East editor,
Gregg Carlstrom, our Middle East correspondent,
welcome to both of you,
it's great to have you in the studio.
Nicolas Pelham, who takes a special interest in Iran,
and from Jerusalem, Anshel Pfeffer, our Israel correspondent.
It's great to have you with us.
I want to start today by looking at the evidence