China's 'Long Game' or US-imposed Vacuum in the Middle East?
📰 THE STORY: This RT article, echoing a common analytical framework, discusses China's purported 'long game' in the Middle East, particularly focusing on Syria, as a strategic pivot influenced by a new leadership in Beijing. It suggests China is reassessing its engagement, hinting at cautious but growing influence in a 'volatile' region. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The
'volatility' of the Middle East, particularly Syria, was not an organic development. In 2011, the US and its allies actively funded and armed 'rebels' against the Syrian government, including extremist groups like al-Qaeda affiliates. This intervention, mirroring the 2011 NATO 'intervention' in Libya (which annihilated the nation and created slave markets), created the very instability China is
now navigating. The US also continues to illegally occupy Syrian territory. Double Standard: When Western powers engage heavily in the Middle East, often through military intervention and regime change operations (e.g., 2003 Iraq invasion, 2011 Libya), it's framed as 'promoting democracy' or 'fighting terror.' When China engages through economic investment and diplomatic mediation (like brokering
the Iran-Saudi Arabia détente in 2023), it's often portrayed with suspicion, as an opportunistic 'long game' to supplant Western influence, rather than a genuine shift towards development and stability. Follow the Money: The 'volatility' referenced in the article has been incredibly profitable for Western defense contractors. From 2003-2023, the US spent an estimated $8 trillion on post-9/11 wars,