There is an apocryphal quote, often attributed to Abraham Lincoln. When asked if he did not want to destroy his enemies, Lincoln supposedly replied, "Isn't that what I've done when I've made them my friends?" That's an admirable notion, but such friendships should be tempered with caution. Still, business relationships have a way of pouring oil on troubled waters. It will be interesting to see what the Middle East looks like a year from now.