At the beginning of 2024, tensions in the Middle East escalated again. Iraq's resistance groups claim that they used drones to launch an attack on the Israeli port of Ashdod. This incident marks a further escalation of the multi-event conflict in the Middle East, in which 15 countries are now involved.
Iraq insisted that U.S. troops withdraw from military bases within its borders, and U.S. forces ignored them. At the same time, Iran is actively preparing, claiming that it is willing to conduct joint military exercises, even at any cost. The Russian Air Force has also launched combat patrols along the border between Syria and Israel, and tensions between the two sides have become more open.
In the Red Sea, Yemen's Houthi rebels fired missiles at ships sailing, triggering a conflict with the United States, Britain and France. At the same time, Yemeni missiles also hit Israel from long range, but were intercepted by Israeli, Egyptian and Saudi anti-aircraft missile systems. Iran has launched airstrikes against targets in Iraq, Syria and Pakistan, and Pakistani warplanes have carried out long-range strikes on targets inside Iran.
Turkish warplanes bombed Kurdish targets in northern Syria and northern Iraq, while Jordanian warplanes attacked smuggling groups in southern Syria. The conflict between Israel and Palestinian Hamas in the Gaza Strip has also intensified, and the military melee in the Middle East has intensified.
U.S. influence in the Middle East appears to be declining, with various forces vying for turf in an attempt to expand their sphere of influence. The United States must preserve its interests in the Middle East, especially the stability of oil resources and the dollar, which are also crucial to its strategy in the Asia-Pacific region.
The dollar's close ties to oil make the Middle East a contentious region. Zionism, Muslim fundamentalism, the energy problem, dollar hegemony, and the rise of Shiites are all at the root of conflict in the region.
This large-scale conflict in the Middle East could leave a deep mark on history, like the events of Sarajevo in World War I. Turning points in history often stem from seemingly insignificant events.
In this era, there is no savior, no immortal emperor, and the happiness of human beings can only rely on themselves. The union of China, Russia, and Iran may herald the beginning of the integration of the Asian continent.
Iran's military power in the Middle East should not be underestimated. Iran has two armies: the National Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The latter was created during the Khomeini Revolution and focused on an ideological and geopolitical offensive.
Iran has demonstrated its true military might. Although Iran's military equipment is inferior to the United States in terms of advanced degree and quantity, this does not mean that the United States can easily win. In past conflicts, the United States, despite its absolute military superiority, has not been able to win easily.
Iran has the most powerful missile arsenal in the Middle East, including Mudstone ballistic missiles with a range of up to 2,000 kilometers, which is enough to cover the entire Middle East. In addition to its missile arsenal, Iran has a full-fledged air and naval force, as well as some nuclear research and development capabilities.
Iran's geographical location makes it difficult to defend, coupled with strong anti-American sentiment and a united population, and if the US military moves rashly, it will face a huge counterattack. Iran has a well-developed military manufacturing and R&D system, as well as the world's third-largest oil reserves, and even if war breaks out, it will not collapse due to US sanctions.
Iran's large number of active-duty troops and nuclear capabilities make it necessary for the United States to think twice about whether to go head-to-head with Iran.