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Two goals in two countries

Mar 13,2017 - Last updated at Mar 13,2017

The US’ increased aerial and ground forces involvement in the war against Daesh in and around Mosul must aim not only to deal the terrorist organisation a death blow, but also to try and contain Iran’s growing role in Iraq.

Tehran has expanded its military intervention in Iraq to boost the Shiite forces operating on Iraqi soil, a move coinciding with the US administration of President Donald Trump’ increased hostility vis-à-vis Iran.

The US ambassador to the UN recently stated that the US is determined to keep Iran out of Iraq and Syria, and reduce its hegemony in the region.

In Syria, increased US ground forces participation in the north of the country, and specifically in the Raqqa area, against Daesh, added to its aerial forces, is probably intended to intimidate Daesh but also to send the message to Russia, seriously involved militarily and politically in Syria, that the US is not about to give up its place and role in this Arab country.

This increased US military involvement in Iraq and Syria is probably meant to stake a claim in these two important Arab countries.

That would be a complete reversal of the policy of former president Barack Obama who sought to disengage, at least militarily, from the Middle East.

Such change of policy, if indeed dictated by the US administration, would be in line with Trump’s promise of making Daesh’s defeat his first priority.

It would also bolster the US role in the Middle East, whose oil Trump believes is for taking.

Despite the promise to look inwards, to make America a first priority, the US seems determined to make its presence in the Middle East more visible and effective.

How successful this new, more assertive, US stance in the region will be is for the future to determine.

 

Closer to the present we might see how Russia and Iran are going to take the growing US presence in Syria and Iraq.

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