Hours too Early

In a strange twist of events, the panel regarding US policy on the Middle East happened hours before the United States launched fifty-nine Tomahawk missiles at a Syrian air base. Contrary to some of the panelists view, who believed the US would leave Syria alone to focus on destroying ISIS. The differing perspectives between the three panelists were offering not only different viewpoints, but were experts in various fields.

After attending a similar lecture last year regarding US policy towards Russia and the Ukraine, having a professor from the Army War College adds quality and depth in places where civilians sometimes cannot. However, something that I do not think was adequately addressed was Putin’s interest in supporting the Syrian regime. Considering the proximity to the Russian border, it makes sense that Putin would prefer to keep active US troops out of the picture. Putin seems to want to establish a sphere of influence where he can reestablish the former military might of the former Soviet Union.

Another interesting angle brought up by the panel was the dynamic between the regional powers in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Both states try to exercise power over surrounding countries with either blatant or covert action. A surprising attitude which the panelists reflected was downplaying the threat ISIS poses, as well as how quickly they expect it to be destroyed. I think they could have been clearer here, as the territory ISIS has might be taken back, but the ideology itself is much more difficult to combat. Similarly, to the missile attack, days after the panel, ISIS claimed responsibility for a terror attack on a church in Egypt. It seems like predicting what might happen in the Middle East is near futile.

Looking forward, US policy in the Middle East seemingly must work with Moscow and try to avoid civilian causalities. One of the more somber points brought forward in the panel was that the Middle East and its assortment of problems should only be contained, not solved. While this is certainly a realist’s opinion on the matter, it does offer a bleak future for the region.