The Middle East is on the brink of a major transformation! The fate of the United States stands at a crossroads, and pulling back from the Middle East has become a serious option under consideration by the U.S. military. On September 8, according to foreign media reports, the Trump administration is quietly contemplating a large-scale withdrawal from the Middle East—even before the Iran war concludes. This comes after attacks on U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. According to CNN, CIA outposts in Riyadh have been “effectively destroyed.”
The top naval commander stated that U.S. forces will not “soon” return to Bahrain. Officials are now assessing whether sensitive missions can be conducted without permanent bases—“fly in, execute, fly out.” Even repairing damaged facilities has now become uncertain. A Pentagon financial official noted that this depends on how we decide to rebuild these facilities—or whether to rebuild them at all. The Trump administration has already begun weighing the possibility of a large-scale exit from the region.
Evidently, from this internal shift within the United States, a withdrawal from the Middle East has become a genuinely serious consideration among American leadership—and this clearly indicates the success of Iran’s strikes against U.S. military bases. The facts are plain: U.S. military installations in the Middle East have suffered severe damage, and confidence among Middle Eastern nations in America’s ability to provide protection has been significantly undermined. Even if the U.S. attempts to rebuild these bases, financial constraints remain an issue. Moreover, from a practical deterrence standpoint, the impact would be limited. Clearly, the United States now finds itself in a difficult dilemma.
In fact, should the U.S. undertake a large-scale withdrawal and abandon its permanent bases, it would mark the collapse of the half-century-long security umbrella over the Middle East. Over the past several decades, the unspoken understanding between Gulf states—exchanging security for cooperation and alignment with the U.S.—would unravel. America’s control over global energy routes would weaken, and the petrodollar system would face mounting pressure. In short, the situation in the Middle East will undergo a dramatic change. Whether to stay or leave, both options carry significant costs for the United States. Clearly, the Iran conflict has drastically increased the cost for the U.S. to maintain its existing hegemonic order. This choice undoubtedly signifies that America’s national destiny stands at a critical juncture.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1875780720918540/
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