SPENGLER When the cat's away, the mice kill each other

SPENGLER
When the cat's away,
the mice kill each other
It is most astonishing that official Washington seems oblivious to the crack-up of American influence occurring in front of its eyes. Without America to mediate and restrain, each of the small powers in the Middle East has no choice but to test its strength against the others. Those who wish to reduce American power may get what they wish for, but they might not like it.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KJ20Ak03.html