It was never meant to be like this, and unfortunately it doesn't seem like the US has an alternative solution.
It wasn't. But I would submit that it doesn't matter. In the end, the Middle East is a backward, third-world hole that gets far more attention that it deserves in the world of geopolitics. Blood and treasure lost? Yes. Tragic? Yes. But this is the place where the world comes to test it's theories. Whether it was Bush attempting the imposition of democratic rule on a people who have neither the inclination or the history to accept such a social order, or Obama continuing that notion through his support of popular revolt movements in Egypt, Libya and now Syria.
Same can be said for Putin and his dreams of global dominion. Even the advance of Chinese naval assets into the Mediterranean is nothing more that a test of its own abilities. From the standpoint of United States foreign policy there is absolutely nothing of worth in the Middle East beyond keeping our hand in to know what's going on.
The ultimate solution to the Middle East is theological and not political. It's a 1,400 year old problem. So it is in our interest to ensure they remain a third-world and moribund society for the foreseeable future until they see their way past the Mohammedan fever. That includes fomenting discord and conflict. Continue to use it as a test bed for our ideas to see if we can help them along. And yes from time to time that will cost us blood and treasure.
However, what we will have gained is invaluable knowledge and experience for dealing with Russia and China in the future if the time comes. Provided they both don't fall into self-imposed isolation which is their wont to do. History tells us that their expansionist plans lead to failure. Their cultures simply don't support it. They are inward-looking and ultimately short-sighted.
There will be setbacks such as what we see occurring in Europe. The 60 year American security guarantee freeing them to pilot their own socialist schemes to their demographic detriment. There will be violent spasms in reaction to the Mohammedan horde but they will be the death throes of a civilization that abandoned its fundamental principles. They deserve their fate. Same applies to Russia and China. Their demographics show that there will be no rise of China. Russia's death is assured.
The United States will remain the dominant power of the 21st century. But as you say it will require the right kind of leadership.
Good points.