The critical situation in Pakistan, the uncertain future of Pervez Musharraf’s government, the rise in bombings in Afghanistan, the fact that the Turkish army is on alert on the border of northern Iraq, the dispute over the presidential election in Lebanon, and the increased tension in the occupied territories of Palestine are giving rise to a situation that will shake the position of the U.S. in the region.
Pakistan, a nuclear power which is regarded as an ally of the United States, is in a bleak political situation due to the current national crisis.
If instability rises in Pakistan, the country’s nuclear arsenal could become a major security issue for the region and the world.
U.S. officials are becoming worried because hardliners could take power if General Musharraf is not able to control the situation, and then the country’s nuclear arsenal could threaten U.S. interests in the region.
Turkey, another military ally of the U.S. and an important member of NATO, is at a sensitive juncture. It has deployed its troops on Iraq’s northern border, and a protracted struggle between the Turkish army and the rebel Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) seems likely.
Of course, recent developments in northern Iraq have raised concerns in the White House, and the U.S. is trying to prevent the Turkish army from attacking PKK hideouts in the impassable heights of Iraqi Kurdistan.
This has caused problems for Turkey’s Islamist government and influenced the country’s relations with the U.S. If the PKK issue is not resolved in a way acceptable to the Turkish government, relations between Turkey and the United States will seriously deteriorate.
In Afghanistan, the Taleban and Al-Qaeda are increasing their forces and expanding their operations against NATO and ISAF (the International Security Assistance Force), and this will intensify the crisis in the country.
Events in Afghanistan will surely cause some differences among the United States’ military allies since it is becoming increasingly difficult for NATO and ISAF forces to deal with the current level of casualties.
The increased violence in Palestine and the Zionist regime’s siege of Gaza City could cast a shadow over the Autumn Peace Conference and eventually lead to its failure.
In Lebanon, the deadline for holding the presidential election is approaching and disputes between the March 14 and March 8 groups are rising, which will lead to unpredictable developments.
In fact, it is the interference of the U.S. and France in the internal and electoral affairs of Lebanon which has led to the current political stalemate in the country.
In Iraq, George W. Bush’s former allies are distancing themselves from him, the wave of violence is swelling, and U.S. forces are becoming more and more drained, making it more difficult for them to remain in the country.
With the situation about to spin out of control in the Middle East and many of Washington’s close allies in the region experiencing internal crises, the United States is facing a major foreign policy crisis.
Clearly, if the U.S. does not revise its Middle East policy and does not seek new allies in the region, it will face a political crisis that will influence the 2008 presidential election.
Now many of Bush’s old associates blame him for his aggressive policies that have been implemented throughout the world and believe that the current situation is harmful to U.S. interests.
Thus, it is not surprising that Bush’s friends have dubbed him the lonesome cowboy of the Middle East.
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