The Middle East and World War 3  

     Most Americans seem to be living their daily lives totally and completely oblivious to all that is happening outside of our little sheltered box - the safety and security of the United States.  Yet, what was once a strong box of oak just may have deteriorated into something that more accurately resembles cardboard.  Let it rain and it will all come crumbling down.  At our present rate of reckless spending, military cutbacks and poor foreign policy decisions, our box just may collapse due to crumbling economies here and abroad, or worse yet, by attack.  The world’s nations and economies are so intertwined that when one bubble bursts, the rest can follow.  Throw a grenade into one corner of a mine field and watch the whole thing go up in smoke. 

     In February, Michael Snyder published an article that stated: World War 3 Could Start This Month: 350,000 Soldiers In Saudi Arabia Stand Ready To Invade.   Two months have passed and there is still no massive invasion of Syria or World War 3.  However, it does not mean that it cannot happen.  Tensions are rising and there are so many dynamics at play that it would seem that any tiny spark could set off a whole fire-storm of trouble.  Yet, how many of you actually understand or even care from day to day about what is occurring in the Middle East and how we here in the US can be affected by it? 

     I urge you to go ahead and read Mr. Snyder’s article because it will help you understand the dynamics of what is happening in the Middle East.  Such as, who is actually fighting whom?  What are the allegiances?  Which nations seem to be siding with, well, every side?  Is that even possible?  It’s all very confusing.  The problem is, neither side (which is multifaceted) is good but it does seem that whatever position the US takes, it always appears to be opposite Russia.  Yet, this is nothing new since nearly every cause the US has stood for after WWII has been directly opposed by the Soviet Union/Russia.  We fund or fight for one side and they always fund the other.  However, this time, they are directly and militarily involved and that is the reason for worrying about all out World War 3.  There are so many opposing forces (nations, insurgencies, terror groups) involved and they each have their own agendas and reasons for wanting to intervene in Syria or take all out control of the region.   

     At first glance, one group or nation, such as Turkey,  may seem to be right as they claim that their intent is to stop ISIS.  One could say the same thing about Iran.  Then, you find out, in the case of Turkey, that they have been actually supporting, in some form, those they say they are committed to stopping - ISIS.  Basically, you have nations that hate each other, because of opposing theologies, fighting to stop the same evil - ISIS.  However, neither nation wants the other to actually win because they would then have expanded their territory and their theology.  (In this case, the word theology is meant to be Sunni or Shiite brands of Islam, not Islam in general.) 

     Iran, while fighting ISIS, has still another agenda other than to eventually control Syria and institute their form of Islam.  Winning Syria will bring them closer to Israel – to their very doorstep.  This is Iran’s ultimate goal and ISIS gave them the reason and excuse to invade, a backdoor into the region if you will. 

     Russia has always wanted control of the Middle East.  It’s a power and oil/gas thing.  They were thwarted years and years ago as those aspirations were dashed for fear of inciting another all-out world war (few remember that).  But now they have found a way in through the guise of helping out in the defeat of ISIS and I cannot see them pulling out now since they have established such a good foothold - due in part to the US shrinking back from our infamous “red line” concerning Syrian President Assad’s actions.     

     Pressure is building which always leads to an explosion.  Don’t be blindsided when it happens.  Keep yourselves knowledgeable of current events here and abroad because what affects one most assuredly affects the other.

© 2016 G. R. Workman  

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