a_person,
I don't think it's delusional at all. As a matter of fact president Assad of Syria, today warned anyone attacking Iran that it would lead to a hefty price to be paid over possibly decades.
Of course, I also think it's important to use more than a single news source. Otherwise one quickly fall prey to propaganda and types of brain washing.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7505426.stm
As you can see - Israel and the US unites shia and sunni muslims.
I do think that Iraq with it's strongly mixed population and newfound government will get closer to Iran in the not so distant future. I also think the smart thing for Syria is to join in this - and Syria being predominantly sunni muslim, with Iraq a mix and Iran shia muslim ... it would seem they would make up a possible future cluster with common interests in the region.
I also see the mistrust between the US and Pakistan with the uprising in Pakistan against the dictatorship supported by the US as something that will not be long-lived. After NATO forces leave Afghanistan, I see it as only natural that the countries in the region will find it necessary and beneficial to cooperate economically and militarily to be able to progress and resist future attacks.
Call me stupid and insane, but I do think they are looking for progress given the chance in the future. Of course that does not paint a pretty picture for US influence using Israel in the region ... but the US star has already fallen considerably.
Europe is content seeing the US dethroned slightly, but will of course always support the US economically and military - and vice-versa. Everyone wants to see the US change, even the US population sees the need for change. I think it's slightly healthy in the long run to be able to adapt to changing conditions worldwide. If everyone could keep it peaceful, and resolve some of the middle east imbalances, then further progress is a sure thing.
Russia is fast running up with more and more food and energy production, as well as lifting a lot of their population from poverty. This means a new and close trading partner for Europe. Russia is also a great catalyst for the Middle East, and will probably continue to develop as their most important trading partner in the future. This of course is further encouraged by military stability in the region.
I think that a strong Iran, with the US out of Iraq, will give birth to this - and that the natural way for them to organize themselves and progress is what I've outlined. It will mean less influence by the US in the region, especially by using Israel who will be wing-clipped, but I do think this is the right way to get some progress there.
A consensus could probably be reached by all of us that if the region would prosper further, without the threat of attacks from Israel, then the growth in infrastructure would make it less likely that any aggression would be in their interest. Focusing on prosperity and education in stead of the age old conflict with Israel is the best way out of the crisis in the region.
I do think that Israel needs to get wing-clipped somewhat, however. If that means that they give up all their occupied land and start peaceful negotiations with their neighbours - then that would of course be great. But somehow I doubt they see it that way. Also, there is of course a lot of resentment that is going to continue to be brewing. But unless they learn to live with each other, there is no other way than conflict - which they should contain to the region.