Altering the balance of power in the Middle East

Submitted by Ralph Davis (United States), Jun 23, 2012 at 03:47

I agree with Dr Pipes' summary that the ever so-isolated Ivory Tower has lost touch with the American pulse. But the article reflects the strategic resignation of the Obama administration towards Iran and the issue of it acquiring a nuclear capability. It is for that reason that the US is intervening in Syria [on the cheap I may add]: by overthrowing the Syrian government and installing a sunni one that will be friendly to Saudi Arabia it is hoped that this will contain Iran.

But this type of strategic myopia is fraught with danger. By denying Hezbollah its strategic depth via Syria Lebanon is in danger of being ripped apart by civil war, again, as Hezbollah attempts to solidify its strategic position.

Furthermore the US is faced with an Egypt that is more conducive to Iranian interests. For example, the joint Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas attack against Israel [with Egyptian military complicity] is indicative in altering the balance of power in favor of Iran.

The Obama administration's Middle East policies is not a reflection of hard strategic calculations but of ideological wishful thinking that has not only left US position in the area that much less tenable but it also has left Israel with a new strategic threat.

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