The anticipated defeat of the Islamic State is not likely to mean calm in the region, since thousands of disaffected jihadist fighters will be scattered and looking for new opportunities to spread their ideology. Meanwhile, the newly energized Kurds – key players in the war against IS – will have political demands that will be difficult to satisfy, and may lead to new conflicts.

As demands of 9/11 victim families get traction and America’s for imported energy declines, U.S. foreign policy is being dominated by “inward-looking election-year motivation”. If that continues into next year, no matter who is president, U.S. anti-terror strategy is unlikely to continue to enjoy full support from Saudi Arabia. With traditional allies like Saudi Arabia and Israel beginning to engage Russia in private, the U.S. could lose its dominant position in Middle East affairs.

Constructive mediation rather than military intervention is urgently needed, but first all parties must be realistic about the situation on the ground, and open to a political transition through negotiation.

Presently, public sentiment to minimize the risk of terror is on the rise, one of the factors prompting the US to reassess its strategic goals in the Middle East. The result is a more united front in the war against terrorism.

While helping the people in the Middle East fleeing from conflict zones, the more important thing is to address the refugee issue from the root. The UN must play a leading role in promoting reconciliation in the wake of failed and arrogant US policies in the region, so that the Middle East can move toward stability that will allow its people enjoy a normal life.

The recent elections in the Middle East are extraordinarily important in that they signal a changing balance of power in the Middle East, argues He Wenping. Wenping also argues that this changing power balance will have a significant effect on the rest of the world, particularly the United States.

The US remains a nation with the most strategic resources, and it is determined to play a leadership role in global affairs. But that role will largely depend on whether the US will invest its resources in global justice and common interests, writes Jin Liangxiang.

China hopes that Kerry’s recent Middle East visit will herald a new diplomatic approach from the US, and will play a positive and significant role in promoting regional peace in the Middle East, writes Wu Sike.

Saudi Arabia refused to accept the UN Security Council seat as a non-permanent member. Wu Sike argues the decision reflects the growing dissatisfaction of the Middle East countries with the Obama administration’s current foreign policy and proposes China-US cooperation to resolve the conflicts in the region.

The U.S. has relentlessly worked on improving its foreign policies in order to safeguard its global hegemony. Chen Jimin analyzes the framework of the Obama administration’s global strategy.