Recently, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced that he would organize a "multinational convoy" in the Red Sea in response to Yemen's Houthi strikes on "Israeli-related vessels." At the same time, Israeli ** Herzog expressed his willingness to conclude a new temporary ceasefire agreement with Hamas. These two pieces of news seem to contradict each other, raising people's questions: Why did the United States propose a ceasefire after pulling out the hardline posture of the "10-nation alliance"?
The United States has deployed two aircraft carriers, the USS Ford, the Bataan and the USS Eisenhower, and a "quasi-aircraft carrier" in the Middle East, and the third aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, is also being deployed to the Middle East. Such a military layout gives the impression of confronting the Houthis and supporting Israel. However, Israel expressed its willingness to cease fire immediately after receiving support from the United States. In order to explain this contradiction, we first need to understand the strategic layout of the United States in the Middle East.
The carriers and prospective carriers were scattered across different waters, with the USS Ford in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Bataan in the Red Sea, the USS Eisenhower in the Gulf of Aden, and the USS Carl Vinson on its way to the Middle East. While it looks powerful, it actually reflects the fact that the United States has not identified the focus of its Middle East strategy. If the focus is on countering Allah in Lebanon or the Syrian army, then it would be more efficient to deploy centrally to the Eastern Mediterranean;If it is to deter Iran, then deployment to the Persian Gulf is more practical than it is now. Therefore, the United States' strategic layout this time is just a formality, and it has no real intention of sending troops. And, most likely, this layout is not meant to be shown to the Arc of Resistance.
However, the arc of resistance will not succumb to this American layout at all. According to the U.S. Command, the Houthis launched another missile attack in the southern part of the Red Sea on December 18. Therefore, we can speculate that this strategic layout of the United States is more likely to be shown to Israel, and may even be one of the conditions of Israel's ceasefire. Israel may believe that it is okay to accept a ceasefire for the time being in order to ease the international pressure on the United States. But at the same time, the United States must increase its support for Israel to show good faith. These three aircraft carriers and one quasi-aircraft carrier are the sincere actions of the United States.
Behind the US military layout in the Middle East and Israel's temporary cease-fire agreement, the US policy orientation in the Middle East is highlighted. First of all, the US military layout is designed to protect the security of sea routes, in particular, the Gulf of Aden-Red Sea-Suez Canal route. The security situation in the Red Sea region is critical to the global maritime situation, and the United States, as one of the most powerful military forces in the world, has a responsibility to maintain the security of this region.
Second, U.S. support for Israel is motivated by a number of considerations. First, Israel is an important ally of the United States in the Middle East, and the two countries maintain close military and intelligence cooperation. The fundamental reason why the United States supports Israel is because of shared values and concerns about regional security. Second, while supporting Israel, the United States can also maintain a certain degree of political influence in the Middle East to safeguard its own national interests. This support is for Israel as well as for the rest of the Middle East.
However, there are also some problems with US Middle East policy. First of all, although the US military layout has a certain deterrent effect, it cannot really solve the problems of the Middle East. The deployment of aircraft carriers is a gesture, but it cannot completely change the complex situation in the region. Second, U.S. support for Israel could provoke a further deterioration of the situation in the Middle East and increase tensions in the region. While supporting Israel, the United States must take into account the interests and concerns of all parties in the region and seek a more balanced solution.
In the face of the current situation in the Middle East, peace talks are particularly important. Whether the United States confronts the Houthis or supports Israel, peace negotiations are ultimately inseparable. It is only through dialogue and negotiation that the problems of the Middle East region can be truly resolved and lasting peace and stability can be achieved.
However, peace negotiations face many challenges. First, the interests of the Middle East region are extremely divergent, and it is difficult for all parties to reach an agreement. The Syrian civil war, the Iranian nuclear issue, the Palestinian issue, etc., are all complex and sensitive issues that are very difficult to solve. Second, there are multiple stakeholders in the Middle East, such as Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia and many ethnic and religious factions, with different concerns and interests, making coordination in the negotiation process more difficult.
However, the difficulty of peace negotiations does not mean that efforts are abandoned. All parties should remain calm and exercise restraint, settle disputes through dialogue and consultation, seek common interests, and establish mechanisms for mutual trust and mutual assistance. The international community should also be actively involved and provide the necessary support and mediation. Peace and prosperity in the Middle East can be achieved only through the joint efforts of all parties.
The complexity and contradictions of the Middle East have long been the focus of global attention, and its complexity and contradictions have led to frequent tensions and conflicts. The U.S. military posture and support for Israel reflect its position and interests on the Middle East issue. However, the problems of the Middle East cannot be resolved by military means and unilateral support alone, and long-term stability and peace can be achieved only through dialogue, peace negotiations and multi-party participation between the two sides. Despite the many challenges facing the Middle East region, there is hope for peace and prosperity in the region as long as all parties remain calm and restrained and are guided by peace talks.