The overall scenario in the Middle East is becoming fairly clear with the US adding more forces to the region aimed at the "ultimate victory" over the Arabs. The earlier impression gained was that the USA and other nations that have sent forces to Afghanistan and Iraq would go for a gradual withdrawal beginning with troops reductions, leaving the Islamic nations to choose their own "democratic" establishments.

Before the US Congressional election there was indeed a plan discussed among the contributing nations to Middle East wars about their withdrawal once the elections were over. But the defeat of the Republicans and the majority gained by the Democrats in the Congress have changed the overall perception of the USA, not just the Republicans alone. Notwithstanding the fight in the Congress over troops withdrawal or additions between the Democrats and Republicans, there seems to be consensus between them as well as the CIA-Pentagon combine to stay on in Afghanistan and Iraq and concentrate on the Iranian and Syrian borders. This idea seems to have run into rough weather with other nations differing largely on the subject, but Washington has the capacity and means to persuade them to fall in line of the USA.

Ideally, then, the USA will manage

the affairs single-handedly, including the resources in the region, aided by the UNSC and NATO. The most credible conclusion of all this maneuvering was to ensure that the USA would stay on and all other countries would withdraw themselves at their convenience or completely. Over 17 nations across the continents have already withdrawn their troops fully or partially, while the USA has added more troops to the field.

That means that Washington has decided to annex the energy rich nations in the Middle East and these nations would be made part of the US empire according its Neo-imperialistic plan. Agreement, then, rather than any disagreement, on the USA controlling the Middle East seems to have been worked out among the occupying forces in favour of US decision to stay on. Establishment of a New Middle East supported efficiently by the US brand of democracy is at best a farce, if not a joke.

Meanwhile, Russia and the USA have resumed their old cold war tactics, probably to detract the world attention from the US agenda for the Middle East. Would some spokesperson in the White House speak out the real intention of the USA in the Middle East?

Dr. Abdul Ruff Colachal

JNU, New Delhi