Syria missile blast demonstrates persistence of US hegemony
The US blasted a government- controlled airbase in Syria with a barrage of cruise missiles on Friday. The Pentagon said 59 cruise missiles struck the Syrian Shayrat airfield. The military strike was launched for two purposes: to reset the US- Russia cooperation on antiterrorism and to reshape the balance of power in the Middle East. It can be said that the wrangling for power has officially begun between Russia and the US during US President Donald Trump’s term in office.
Russia, in September 2015, launched airstrikes in Syria to target the Islamic State, which, coupled with its cooperation with Iran and Turkey over the Syrian issue, led to a change in the balance of power in the Middle East. After more than a year of fighting, Syrian government’s army has control of all the key cities. These changes undermine the influence of the US and its allies in the region. As the US military strike on Syria indicates, it’s not easy for Russia and the US to cooperate on anti- terrorism. The two countries have restarted the dispute over whether to maintain or topple the regime of Syrian President Bashar alAssad and who the dominant power is in the Middle East.
Trump’s foreign policy is still undergoing adjustments. The attack on Syria demonstrates that the Trump administration won’t deviate from the traditional US foreign strategy and that it intends to use the Syrian issue to consolidate its ruling position.
The Middle East remains top priority in the US geopolitical security strategy. Maintaining dominance in the region is still one of the most important objectives of the US government. Over the past year, Russia has played a significant role in resolving the Syrian issue while the US seemingly has been marginalized. Therefore, the Democrats and the establishment Republicans firmly opposed any tendency Trump shows toward a possible detente with Russia. Trump’s presidency has even been threatened. The resignation of Michael T. Flynn from his position as national security adviser after weeks of speculations over his links to Russia is a result of the struggle among US elites.
Since Trump took office, he has been confronted with a myriad of difficulties in carrying out reforms. For instance, the US court refused to reinstate his immigration ban, undermining his support and prestige. His ambiguous relations with Russia, in particular, have repeatedly been used by some media and his opponents to attack him. Trump, by targeting an airbase of the Syrian army, intends to dissociate himself from Russia, so as to consolidate his presidency. It seems that Trump’s decision on the Syrian airstrike was abrupt. However, it’s an embodiment of the US supremacy. The old rules of international law are no longer followed. Dmitri S. Peskov, a spokesman for President Vladimir Putin of Russia, said on Friday that Putin views the US strike on Syria as an aggression against a sovereign state in violation of the norms of international law, adding that it is of no help in fighting international terrorism but would inevitably create a serious obstacle in building an international coalition against terrorism. The US’ missile strike against Syria has conveyed a strong political message that the US will always strive to maintain its hegemony. The US air raid on Syria has halted any possible rapprochement between Russia and the US. Putin said the US’ attack will inflict major damage on USRussia ties. The two countries will have to re- evaluate how to deal with the Assad regime and start a new round of wrestling in the Middle East. How to resolve regional tensions by peaceful means remains an important task for them.