Disengaging from the Middle East would leave in place the dynamic in which Islam is seen as the alternative to corruption and oppression, and in which the US is blamed for not promoting democracy in an even-handed manner.  Energy independence could accelerate the rise of politicized Islam, and US withdrawal would increase the risk of conflict between other nations destabilizing the global economy.

Once the alternatives are considered, the Bush Doctrine looks like neo-Realism.  Old school US foreign policy Realism is one reason we face the risky situation in the Middle East...  Dealing with that world requires realism in facing up to that fact, and recognizing what it means in a world with a global economy and increasingly global infosphere.  Realism requires a recognition that we cannot run away from the problem, even when doing something about it may be very difficult.

- Karl