Two of the Middle East region's most important countries - Egypt and Turkey - are at a crossroads right now. Egypt has the chance to again be the Arab world's central power; in contrast, Turkey's government is throwing away the opportunity to become a major diplomatic player in the region while hammering the last nail into the coffin of its chance for European Union membership.

Let's consider Egypt first. In the Gaza war's aftermath, everyone is asking Cairo its preferences for policing the border with Hamas's radical Islamist semi-state next door. Egypt must take the lead in any new arrangement to stop arms' smuggling.