A  powder keg waiting to explode is the way many perceive the Mideast. The  events in the region could set off in many people's estimates a cascade  that could emesh the US of A in more military action.

Israel/Iran Relations: The New York Times this evening is reporting that Israel is running out of patience with  the sanctions on Iran to curtail its nuclear program and is moving very  close to an attack to take out Iran's capability. According to the NYT,  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's deputy foreign minister is calling  on the United Nations to declare diplomatic efforts to stop Iran are  dead.

Israeli Deputy Minister Danny Aylon is quoted as saying once diplomacy is declared a failure, that Iran should understand, “it will be clear that all options are on the table.” Aylon is reported to have added that it wasn't just Israel, but the US of A readying to take action.

To read more on this developing story - http://nytimes.com/2012/08/13/world/middleeast/time-to-call-diplomatic-effort-on-iran-a-failure-israeli-official-says.html

Egypt:  In a surprise move today, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi gave a pink  slip to the top general in the nation's military command, General  Hussein Tantawi along with his #2. The move sets the stage for a  confrontation between the ruling military command, who took power  following the fall of Hosni Mubarak last year, and the new president.  Morsi has already appointed the generals replacements.

It boils down to a case of "who's in charge", the civilian government recently elected or the military.

http://csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0812/Egypt-s-president-sacks-top-military-general-in-bid-for-civilian-supremacy

Iran:  Iran continues to recover from deadly earthquakes in an area north of  the city of Tabriz that has left 300 people dead. The 2 quakes struck on  Saturday. So far 200 people have been saved from the demolished  villages in the region struck by the tremors. Relief efforts continue.

http://nytimes.com/2012/08/13/world/middleeast/scores-dead-in-iran-quake.html

From the Cornfield, the US of A presidential election may very well be decided on what happens in The Mideast.