Anne W. Patterson: “The Middle East today is undergoing historic changes. Across the region, we are seeing unprecedented political ferment.”

The solution can only come through a political transition.

Certainly not. The President and certainly the Secretary have said many times that Assad's departure is absolutely critical to any future in Syria.

The Saudis, over the past 15 years, have instituted a very broad range of steps that have cut off financing for terrorists.

To protect U.S. interests amidst this volatility, we have to recognize and cope with the challenges that states across the region face.