Reset: Iran, Turkey, and America's Future

Turkey and Iran both have rich histories that separate them from other countries in the Islamic world. They have both been the head of large-scale global empires. They have also been open to the western world and have experimented with democracy. The Turkish democracy was helped along by the US, who saw the Turks as a bulwark against Russian communism. Iranian democracy was quashed because it was viewed to go against the interests of big oil companies. This led to a reign of an ostentatious Shah and the eventual rise of clerical power. The type of Islam dominant in each country also has helped contribute to the current conditions, with Turkey more accepting of rule by secular powers. The author proposes that Europe and the west should be more willing to engage the two countries. Turkey is one of the few countries with relations with all the players in the middle east (including Israel). They are eager to be peace brokers. Having them as an active member of the EU could provide huge benefits to Europe. They have have managed to increase religious freedom and democracy at the same time. Iran also has reached out to the US to increase partnership in the fight against common enemies (such as the Taliban), only to be rebuffed by the US.
America currently partners primarily with Saudi Arabia and Israel in the Middle East. The Israeli relationship is a long-standing sympathy play due in a significant part to the horrors of the holocaust. Saudi Arabia is an odd bedfellow that is really only there because of the oil. The country has a very corrupt, conservative monarchy that seems to go against many of the western values. However, they sit atop one of the largest deposits of fossil fuels in the world.
Peace in the middle east will require some give and take. Palestinians and Israelis will each need to give and take somewhat to achieve their peace. The western world must also better understand everything that is in play. Turkey and Iran are both willing to help. Will we continue to fight against them, or are we willing to let them help us understand the region?