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The Middle East was the place to be this week for heavy hitters on President Obama's national security team: Defense Secretary Robert Gates, National Security Adviser Jim Jones, Iran strategist Dennis Ross and special envoy George Mitchell all descended on the region, each with his own agenda. Among the initiatives in play were an attempt at diplomatic warming with the regime of Bashar Assad in Damascus, a push for renewed talks between Israel and the Palestinians backed by Arab neighbors, and stepped up military cooperation with U.S. allies in the region.

Each initiative is significant in its own right, but together they combine to support a larger U.S. interest. Against the background of a stubborn stalemate over Iran's nuclear program, the moves raise the...