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An American colony from Mosul to Al-Raqqa

March 16, 2017 at 11:01 am

US-coalition airstrike on Syria’s Raqqa on 9 March 2017 [Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, File photo]

The US continues to prove that it is the worst imperial state in the world when it comes to the Arab-Islamic and wider world. America’s tradition of military intervention around the globe is a new form of neo-imperialism, in which Western countries feel a responsibility for managing chaotic Middle Eastern states. US interests are characterised by a capitalist ideology where mafia politics are used to enforce its hegemony, making it the “Godfather” of the region with a network of rogues to do its bidding. Despite the failure of its policies — as demonstrated by the occupations of Afghanistan, Iraq and Vietnam — the US is currently re-evaluating its policies in order to make the most gains at the least cost. It seeks to create a new geo-political reality between Iraq and Syria, positioned between Mosul and Al-Raqqa.

The behaviour of successive US administrations is the same. There is no difference between Bush, Obama and Trump, for example, except for minor tactical points; they all look to foster the same US imperialist strategy. The numerous presidential speeches regarding the need to differentiate between Islam and terrorism are nothing more than empty rhetoric used to justify the politics of the war on terror. The understanding that unites the two terms is an orientalist construction known as “Islamic terrorism”. The West, as Edward Said wrote in his book Covering Islam, sees Muslims as nothing more than terrorist initiators and oil providers; its knowledge of Muslim nations is not exclusively confrontational but it is based on misunderstanding and an intellectual form of hate.

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The US war on what they are calling “terrorism” remains within the framework of imperialist expansion as it aims to spread both its military bases and its presence on the pretext of the so-called war on terror. It is a brittle mask that seeks to disguise America’s imperialist intentions. Under the guise of the war on terror, the US wants to restore its occupation of Iraq and expand its presence all the way to Syria based on new geopolitical foundations that aim to go beyond the Sykes-Picot agreement. It appears that Daesh, which took advantage of the instability in Mosul and Aleppo in an effort to establish its new caliphate, has inspired the US to establish a new colony in the region, just as it has inspired Iran to re-establish the Silk Road that once connected Tehran to the Mediterranean.

The new-old American plan is now clear. US President Donald Trump has received recommendations from the Pentagon on how to implement the accelerated eradication of Daesh. Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said that the broader plan addresses Daesh activities all over the world and not just in Syria and Iraq. During his election campaign, Trump criticised the then US government’s lack of action against Daesh, and eight days after his inauguration, on 27 January 2017, he issued an executive order giving the Pentagon thirty days to prepare a new plan for the war against the extremist group.

The plan developed by the US Department of Defence is no longer a secret and is based on the increase in military involvement as well an on operational military presence, while giving weapons and artillery to Kurds and Syrian opposition groups on the ground. There are also plans to create a large military base in the village of Tel Badr in north-eastern Syria. There are currently 1,000 soldiers there and this number is expected to increase in the near future. The American base is near Hasakah in Syria, almost 70 kilometres from the Turkish border and 50 kilometres from Iraq.

On the Iraqi side of the border, the US has continued to increase the number of its military bases after securing five in the Kurdish regions. The military base that is currently being built in Mosul might be a substitute for the NATO airbase in Incirlik, Turkey. The US has expressed its intention to establish a base at the Qayyarah military airport south of Mosul. This decision follows the reconstruction of the runway and the refurbishment of the housing units for the military personnel and their families. The Iraqi Ministry of Defence has said that the air base will reopen in mid-July, and that it is expected to house an additional 7,000 US troops.

The US initiative is supported by a number of countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, Italy, Spain, Albania, Poland, Denmark and Estonia. Most of these have sent troops to support Iraq and have trained local troops and militias.

The main goal of the US in the Middle East is to create a new geopolitical reality and dynamic between Mosul and Al-Raqqa; establishing a new American colony in a chaotic region. There are a number of other objectives, including the protection of Israel and securing its interests by preventing any country from establishing a presence that would threaten the Israeli colonisation of Palestine. This includes preventing Iran from maintaining its influence over Beirut, Baghdad and Damascus, as well as placing pressure on Turkey to rein back its influence in the region.

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A report by a US research institute in Washington claimed recently that the goal of the United States in the region is to prevent the collapse of states and to counter extremism, both Sunni and Shia, up to a point. The expansion of imperial interests lies in emphasising ethnic divisions and creating new allies in dictators. It requires an investment in the contradictions of the region.

In conclusion, it is fair to say that the US strategy in the Middle East remains focused on its clichéd interests and on ensuring Israel’s security. It remains dedicated to plundering the wealth of the region and strengthening dictatorships. Yet, some of these factors might also alter depending on the changes in the expansion and leadership of Daesh, as well as on the state of Shia militias supported by Iran.

It is my understanding that the US interests are nothing new and merely prove that it is dedicated to imposing its hegemony over the region by supporting various Sunni and Shia groups and encouraging the rifts between them. It seeks to take advantage of the parlous situation in which the Arabs find themselves. Imperial strategies do not constitute good governance. Just as America failed earlier, it will continue to fail today due to its arrogance and attempts to oppress the rights to justice.

Translated from Arabi21, 12 March 2017

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.