According to the "Reference News", on January 27, the Iraqi Prime Minister's Office issued a statement saying that Iraq would launch the first round of dialogue with the United StatesDiscuss the withdrawal of the U.S.-led international coalition from Iraq
This means that after more than 20 years, Iraq will fully restore all sovereignty over its territory, territorial waters and its airspace, expelling any US soldier within its sovereignty.
In fact, just a few months ago, Iraq asked the United States to set up a high-level military council under the auspices of which it would set a timetable for a phased withdrawalBut the United States was noncommittal at the time
And the Pentagon also said at one time,
"The U.S. military has neverIn the plan to withdraw troops from Iraq, the US military stationed in Iraq is an important force in maintaining the stability of the US Middle East strategy. ”
Perhaps no one thought that in just a few months,The situation in the Middle East has become a mess today
In the wake of Hamas's attack on Israel, armed forces in the "Arc of Resistance" such as Allah in Lebanon, Shiite militias in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen have clashed against Israel and carried out missile and drone attacks on US military bases in the Middle East.
According to the U.S. ** Command, since the outbreak of a new round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict in October 2023, militia forces in Iraq have frequently attacked U.S. troops in Iraq and SyriaTo date, more than 150 attacks have been launched
For the thousands of U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East, they felt "a tsunami of hostility."
The United States finally had to admit a fact:The Stars and Stripes are not popular in the Middle East.
In order to maintain a military presence in Iraq and Syria, the Pentagon needs to spend tens of billions of dollars a year, including soldiers' salaries, equipment and ammunition costs, and it has been going on for more than 20 years, which is undoubtedly a huge sunk cost.
However,Not long ago, the U.S. air strikes against Yemen became the last straw that overwhelmed U.S. confidence
In mid-January, the United States and its allies carried out airstrikes on Yemen in retaliation for the Houthis' repeated missile launches at U.S. destroyers, according to a Pentagon statement.
As for the specific results of the US air strikes, there is actually nothing of value, nothing more than the loss of a small number of personnel and equipment for the Houthis.
On the contrary, it is the United States that exposes its own emptiness and powerlessnessAmerica's allies seem reluctant to continue their toss in the Middle East
Observing several U.S. airstrikes on Yemen, it can be seen that, with the exception of the United Kingdom, which occasionally cooperates with U.S. actionsNone of the other allies responded to the U.S. call
For a long time in the past, it was not only the US military that carried out air raids in the Middle East, but also air forces from Britain, France, Australia, the Netherlands, Canada, and other countries to cooperate with them.
For the United States,The airstrikes against Yemen's Houthis are an attempt to prove their leadership
The United States wanted to show the world that it was still "calling for wind and rain" as it did more than 20 years ago, but the end result was a huge disappointment for the United States - its allies have completely lost interest in the so-called "Middle East strategy" of the United States.
After months of tossing and turning in the Red Sea, the Houthis still hold firm control of the Red Sea shipping lanes, and the United States has nothing to do about it.
In a situation where the Middle East strategy is completely reduced to a messThe United States had no choice but to turn back to Iraq and discuss the withdrawal of its troops with it, which is why the United States has changed its attitude.
What is certain is that with the withdrawal of US troops in Iraq, the US troops in Syria will also be withdrawn as soon as possible in the future.
After all, without the rear support of the US military stationed in Iraq, the US military stationed in Syria is like an isolated island, which will be overwhelmed by the offensive of the local militia at any time.
With the withdrawal of US troops from the Middle East a foregone conclusion, the "Middle East Strategy" that the United States has implemented for decades has finally declared bankruptcyThis is a major defeat for US hegemony, but it is a major victory for the world against US hegemony
For those who look forward to peace and justice, the era of American GIs acting recklessly around the world since the end of the Cold War is completely over.
StillThis is not all good news for China
In fact, the strategic contraction of the United States does not mean that it is admitting defeat in the great power competition, but rather that the United States is withdrawing its fist and preparing to deliver a more lethal blow.
The United States is well aware that the country that poses the greatest threat to itself in the world is China, and as long as it concentrates its efforts on interrupting the process of China's rise, its global hegemony can be restored very quickly.
According to Hong Kong's "South China Morning Post", since the beginning of January 2024, the U.S. Navy has deployed its "Carl Vinson", "Reagan" and "Roosevelt" aircraft carrier strike groups around China through a series of transfers, showing a three-fold situation.
In the past 20 years or so, there have only been two occasions when the three US aircraft carriers have gathered in the Asia-Pacific regionAnd each of these gatherings has caused extreme turmoil in the Asia-Pacific security landscape
The fact that such a tense atmosphere has been created at the beginning of the new year shows that the United States has long been unable to contain its ambitions against China.
After all, the United States knows very well that with the continuous enhancement of China's national strength, the hope of the United States defeating China is getting slimmer year by year.
This has undoubtedly sounded the alarm bell for China: every day from today, it is necessary to heighten its vigilance against the United StatesIt is urgent to strengthen national defense strength and combat readiness.
Project Sword
1] Screen**! U.S. and British warplanes took off to attack Yemen, and Biden responded! Houthis: The United States and Britain will "pay a heavy price" National Business Daily.
2] Reduced to a "troublemaker" Why is it difficult for US troops in Iraq to withdraw? China** Net.
3] Three U.S. nuclear aircraft carriers gathered in the Asia-Pacific China Youth Network.