The situation in the Middle East has always been unpredictable. The U.S. military failed to respond to the Houthi Red Sea operations in a timely manner, but suddenly faced the challenge of Iraq, and the long-term strategic layout of the United States in the Middle East is facing severe challenges. According to Reuters 5**, Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Sudani's office said it was ready to end the military operations of the US-led coalition in Iraq. The official explanation is that this is because the US airstrike resulted in the death of a militia leader, and the armed group to which he belongs has made a request to Iraq to terminate the deployment of US coalition forces in Iraq. However, things may not be so simple. Iraq's actions come at a time when the Middle East is in the midst of an eventful time. Israel's invasion of Gaza has sparked a rare collective condemnation from all parties in the Middle East, and even frequent attacks on U.S. military bases by multiple Iranian-backed armed groups.
With the departure of the USS Ford and two amphibious landing ships, the Mediterranean Sea ushered in a "vacuum period" for aircraft carriers, and the US military power in the Middle East fell to a record low. Taking action against the US military base at this moment can be said to be in the right place at the right time and in a very feasible way. However, the challenges are equally enormous. U.S. overseas bases are a key component of its global deployment and an important cornerstone for maintaining its global hegemony. The operation against the US military base is tantamount to a direct challenge to US hegemony. Since 1984, when the United States recognized the creation of Israel, U.S. influence in the Middle East has lasted for more than 70 years. So far, only the withdrawal of US troops in Afghanistan has been forced by pressure from the Taliban, and in other cases it has been withdrawn either because it is unprofitable or because of internal contradictions.
Whether Iraq has enough strength to put pressure on the US military and shake the intricate power structure of the United States in the Middle East is a major question. At the same time, the extremist group Islamic State has recently become more rampant, even launching terrorist attacks against Iran, and although the truth remains unclear, this group plays an important role in terrorist attacks. One of the excuses for the US coalition to stay in Iraq is to fight ISIS, so will Iraq be able to defend itself against ISIS without the US coalition forces in Iraq?Will the US coalition use this as an excuse to refuse to withdraw its troops?These are all issues that need to be seriously considered. Middle Eastern countries are working together to deal with the problem of US military bases, and although Iraq is facing a dire situation, it is not alone. Iran and Iraq have been at war before, but in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, they have shown a consistent position. Recently, relations between the two countries have continued to improve.
Even if Iran is not directly involved, it is able to provide some degree of external support. Similar to Iraq, neighboring Syria also has US troops. However, unlike in Iraq, the presence of US troops in Syria is purely illegal and often carries out violations, such as stealing oil. This makes Syria even more of a headache than Iraq, especially when it comes to US military bases. At this critical juncture, Iraq and Syria may have a role to play through a common position. At the same time, China can also play an important role in this incident. China has been speaking out for Syria and has repeatedly advocated for justice for Syria at the United Nations, calling for an end to the illegal presence of US troops in Syria. In addition, relations between Iraq and China are very close. At a critical moment, China will not sit idly by.
Regardless of the final outcome, once Iraq opens its door, it will actually start the process of "de-U.S. baseing" in the Middle East. As we all know, when people work together, the walls fall on their own. I believe that all the local forces in the Middle East do not want to see the US military flex its muscles on their own turf. Iraq has opened this opening, and the crisis of US military bases is imminent.