Memo to Middle East: Solve your own problems
The region must stop relying on the US to do the heavy lifting in confronting ISIL.
![An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, as the US launched its first airstrikes by Turkey-based F-16 fighter jets against Islamic State targets in Syria [AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2d02bd8005df4075a13021d79254693a_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
![Ebrahim Raisi won the June 18 presidential elections in Iran [Getty Images/Meghdad Madadi]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/GettyImages-1323898207.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Ebrahim Raisi may have criticised the nuclear deal in the past but as president, he will have to abide by it.
The region must stop relying on the US to do the heavy lifting in confronting ISIL.
Once US troops go home, Iran has the most battle-ready military force to offset regional challenges.
![Iranians take part in a demonstration against ISIL in Tehran [EPA]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141129851166734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
The rapid rise of the Islamic State group has effectively bound the Ayatollahs and the Assad regime
![The official Iranian line has consistently blamed external powers for supporting terrorist groups in Syria, writes Akbarzadeh [Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/201412152434142734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)