尽管如此，虽然美国不太可能撤出中东，但美国在该地区的暴露毫无疑问将有所降低；随着这一趋势，美国在中东的作用可能也会与日具减，日益受制。
Nevertheless, while an American withdrawal from the Middle East seems highly unlikely, US exposure to the region will indeed decline; as that happens, America’s role there will probably become more subdued – and perhaps more cynical.