Those interests are still there. No doubt Cheney dreams nightly of working things round to a strike before the end of the mandate, both for Great Game reasons and for reasons of domestic political control. But the Washington power structure is split, and it's by no means sure the war-freaks will get their way.
One last act of madness? It can't be ruled out.
Currently, as you know, the Iraq War has not been won (to Israel's benefit), but lost (to Iran's). 'Nuff to make a man mad...
In the case of Iran, not as much a "perceived historical slight" as a humiliation that led to a pullback of American territorial influence in an area vital to the supply of sand and camels, as we all know. The overthrow of the Shah put the US on the back foot (ie Saudi A) for a couple of decades. Backing Saddam to beat Iran in the '80s didn't work, and then Saddam was left over as a damn nuisance holding the central spot needed to threaten Iran. So first stop Saddam, next stop Iran. With Syria for Israel to take out.
But the best-laid plans...
