One can only guess what Obama really wants in the Middle East. He certainly doesn’t like Israel but domestic political considerations prevent him from overtly anti-Israel actions. So he confines himself to the covertly anti-Israel ones.

He surely has great sympathy for Islamic countries but in the tension between the Sunni Arab countries and the Shi’ia Persian one, it is difficult to discern whom he favors.

So probably his dream scenario would be for Israel to attack Iran with covert KSA help but without USA support. This would be a setback for Iran but would also offer Israel up as a sacrifice to the so-called “international community,” as well as creating a demand for Israel to give up its nukes. This is a three cushion billiard shot, to be sure, but it is the only way I see for Obama to hurt Iran, hurt Israel, protect the Arab countries, and appear to be a peacemaker.