U.S. Supremacy in the Middle East is at its End
The flames of American empire are burning out in the Middle East. The once mighty hegemon now watches helplessly as its former client states assert their independence and pursue their own interests.
By Karim Bettache
Ambassador Chas Freeman's recent talk lays bare the new geopolitical realities. The era of foreign domination is over. The peoples of West Asia, as Freeman rightly names the region, are reinventing themselves and saying goodbye to unipolarity - to America's delusions of global supremacy.
The parasites in Washington can only look on in envy and impotent rage as their victims slip from their grasp. The soft despots and petty tyrants that once bowed down before the empire now turn their backs on it. They are filling their dance cards with new partners - Russia, China, India - powerful nations willing to treat them with dignity and respect, not the condescension and veiled contempt to which they have become accustomed from their erstwhile American overlords.
This is a new world rising. A multi-polar world, with West Asia occupying a central place, reclaiming its proud heritage as a geostrategic actor in its own right. The peoples of the region are reconnecting to their roots, drawing confidence from their ancient civilizations, the wellspring of their power. They are done being defined by outsiders, by Orientalist Westerners who see them as exotic Others, savage tribes always in need of enlightened guidance. Oh, what bitter medicine for the Washington elite to swallow, to watch with impotent rage as their subjects turn away from them, preferring self-determination to vassalage, national dignity to neocolonial subservience.
Nowhere is American weakness more evident than with Iran. Despite decades of sanctions and saber-rattling, the Islamic Republic stands tall and proud, a pillar of resistance. While its Arab neighbors wavered, tempted by the lush fruits of surrender, Iran held firm. And now it is reaping its reward, emerging as a regional powerbroker courted by all, much to Washington's dismay. Russia and China understand the new realities, grasping opportunities the blind and arrogant Americans cannot see, welcoming Iran into their growing global coalition.
Even Israel and Saudi Arabia, the treasured jewels in America's tarnished crown, seek new alliances. Their trust in Washington's protection has proven misplaced one time too many. Now they look to diversify their dependencies, initiating their own rapprochements with Iran, despite Washington's apoplectic objections. The dangerous delusions of empire have passed their expiration date. The future will be built with new bonds of mutual interest, not relationships of overlord and vassal.
American empire staggers toward the dustbin of history. Its moral pretenses lie exposed as rank hypocrisy. The naked greed and brutality stand revealed. The Middle East has slipped through its fingers, a region no longer willing to accept the demeaning role assigned to it. The Multi-polar future beckons, offering possibilities not visible from Washington's crumbling ramparts. West Asia embraces its destiny as a leader on the global stage. The Middle East is dead. Long live West Asia.