Re: Israel as the cop
Isreal is the super-power in the gulf, but really does not hold the weight that the US does. Also Isreal is considered suspect by the Arab nations by default. Sure the arabs like to call the US the great Satan, but when it comes down to brute strength, the smart ones want us on their side.
If the US pulled out and left Isreal to manage things, you can bet we'd have WWIII very quickly. Its easier for the arabs to gang up on Isreal than the US.
-Steve G.