Amidst the geopolitical landscape, Russia has leveled accusations against US President Joe Biden, alleging that the recent military interventions in Iraq and Syria were orchestrated to bolster his chances in the upcoming presidential re-election. Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s Ambassador to the United Nations, asserted during a Security Council meeting that Biden’s decision to engage in conflicts in the Middle East wasn’t a response to the fatal attack on US soldiers in Jordan. Instead, Nebenzia portrayed it as a strategic move to enhance Biden’s public image.
The United States initiated airstrikes last week, targeting numerous sites associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and allied factions, following the drone attacks in Jordan attributed to Iranian-backed militias. Nebenzia dismissed Biden’s portrayal of this as a significant operation since 2003, retaliating against an unconfirmed UAV attack on an American base in Syria, deeming it unjustifiable.
In Nebenzia’s words, these actions are perceived as attempts to flex US muscles, primarily driven by a desire to influence America’s domestic political landscape and rectify the perceived shortcomings of the current administration. As the US gears up for elections in November, where Biden may face off against former President Donald Trump, the heightened tensions in the Middle East could potentially serve as a political advantage if strategically played.
Justifying the military strikes under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Washington asserts the right to self-defense against armed attacks. Ambassador Wood emphasized the US’s reluctance for further conflict in the region, highlighting ongoing efforts to contain and de-escalate the situation in Gaza and explicitly stating a lack of intention for direct confrontation with Iran.
Reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicate casualties among Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) special forces due to a drone attack, deepening the toll of the geopolitical maneuvering. Beyond Iraq and Syria, the US extends its military engagements to Yemen, targeting the Houthis alongside allies in response to their attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea, seeking retribution for Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.
