If President Trump succeeds in securing a ceasefire that leads to a durable agreement with Iran (and I hope he does), many in Washington will draw the same conclusion: America can finally turn the page on the Middle East and step back from the region.  That would be a mistake.

In fact, a successful ceasefire and subsequent agreement with Iran would strengthen the case for sustained American engagement in the region, not weaken it.

For years, U.S. policymakers have been trapped by a false choice: diplomacy or deterrence, military presence or burden sharing, competition with China or engagement in the Middle East.

A diplomatic breakthrough with Tehran, however limited or fragile, could stabilize the region. But stability will not sustain itself. Agreements without enforcement mechanisms and reassurance in this region have a long history of collapsing under pressure.

This is not the moment for American retrenchment. It is the time for strategic reinforcement.

That may sound counterintuitive after years of costly wars and understandable American fatigue. But reinforcing America’s position in the Middle East today does not mean repeating the mistakes of the past. It means recognizing that deterrence, diplomacy, and economic integration work best together, not separately.

First, the United States should maintain and in some areas rebuild a credible military posture across the region. This is........

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