No reason this dark hour can't get absolutely pure black, with an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear capability. Timed for the American elections, that would insure that fear and hatred would rule the Middle East for many more years, and keep the insane branch of the Israeli right in power for our lifetimes. It would force the cost of oil to new heights, and thus make more billions for those with oil to sell. 
I don't have a head for international politics, but even I can see the possibility of a new war, one with nuclear weapons on one side, and a lot of oil on the other.
We need to remove ourselves from the Middle East, as we did from Southeast Asia. We have done nothing but help chaos and death, and even the Gods must be shocked and awed at our stupidity. 
Hugh Massengill, Eugene