Strategic retrenchment does not mean that the United States will "abandon" the Middle East. Although the Middle East has declined in importance on the US global strategic chessboard, the region still holds some vital strategic interests for the US. The decline of American hegemony in the Middle East is relative, its dominant position in the Middle East has not changed, and its military presence in the Middle East is still strong. In order to safeguard its own interests, the United States will still exert influence in the Middle East through various channels.