This paper seeks to examine the current developments in the Middle East and particularly the challenges ahead of the region in attaining sustainable development in the near future. The elitist theory is adopted as the conceptual framework for the research, since in the absence of institutionalization, the attitudes and behavior of power-holders serve as valid guides for political change. Then the author addresses the place of the Middle East among the other developing regions of the world and studies the reasons why this region is exceptional due to its backwardness from the world dominant trends in the economic and political fields. The author indicates that the post-September 11th events posed serious problems for U.S. dominance in the region, leading to the start of its role-playing in the region. This, in turn, would provide chances for Iran to play a more significant role in regional equations.
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