Forever Wars?

Greg P

Posted February 6, 2024underAfghanistanEducationIranIraqISISMiddle EastPeter ZeihanSaudi ArabiaSyriaTaliban

Peter Zeihan delves into the historical reasons behind the West’s enduring involvement in the Middle East. He explains that the Middle East’s significant resources and coveted location have made it a desirable yet challenging region for external powers, with Portugal and Spain initially bypassing the Middle East through deep-water navigation. These historical dynamics continued, as Western powers established colonies during the industrial era due to the Middle East’s lack of technological advancement and water resources. However, the post-colonial era brought about new challenges, with Western powers occupying the Middle East to target militant groups and prevent the return of influential groups like Al-Qaeda. Despite US attempts to establish order, the lack of technological progress and stable political structures has made it difficult for countries to form governments that can effectively combat militant groups and prevent conflict, resulting in the continued US presence and the emergence of groups like ISIS upon American departure. Zeihan’s analysis in this section of the video also highlights the role of the US military presence in Syria, arguing that it is a significant factor that keeps the Syrian government and, by extension, Middle Eastern regional powers from collapsing into civilizational chaos. While some experts question whether the US military presence serves American national interests, Zeihan emphasizes that these American troops have a significant impact on preventing regional powers from engaging directly with militant groups and potentially mitigating the risk of another major conflict in the Middle East.

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