The third more

Because the civil war that overthrew the Assad regime had not yet broken out in Syria, the Soviets did not have absolute control over the military base established at Basil al-Assad airfield on the southern outskirts of Latakia in northwestern Syria, as it has historically done. But the port of Tartus has become increasingly important because of the acquisition of control of the Turkish Straits and the 1971 naval base port has a booming spring and has become a vital stopover for the Mediterranean fleet.

First of all, the US military, which has been running amok in Iraq since the Gulf War, was actually dealt a painful blow by Saddam's death squad in the city of Baghdad. Then, when he was preparing to further escalate the situation, the Soviet Union stood up very rarely, expressing its willingness to sell arms to Syria and Iran, send military advisory groups, and provide military asylum to the two countries.

If the city of Baghdad is only a mistake in strategic command, then the second point is a provocation that the United States cannot tolerate. President Mario did not want to see a direct military conflict between the U.S. military and the Soviet Union in the Middle East, but he would not allow the Soviets to grow in the Middle East, so he approached Secretary of Defense William Perry to discuss a provocative move with him.

"Cross-border bombing?" When William Perry heard President Mario say the plan, his first reaction was whether the president was joking with him. The war in Iraq continues to burn, and at this time, to run to bomb Syria, is it intended to declare war on two countries at the same time?

"It's just an accidental cross-border bombing." President Mario explained his thoughts to the Minister of Defense. "As long as we declare to the outside world that Saddam's forces have crossed Syria. Then we have the right to retaliate on the territory of Syria. This is also a warning to the other side not to get too close to the Soviet forces. ”

"Syria was very important for the USSR, first of all, because the USSR had the military port of Tartus in Syria. If we can subvert the regime in Syria, then this Soviet military port will be lost, which means that the Soviet Union's influence in the Mediterranean will be greatly affected. Secondly, the Soviet Union maintained good cooperative relations with Syria, and the Syrian government imported large quantities of arms from the Soviet Union every year, making it one of the largest arms markets in the Soviet Union. If the regime in Syria is overthrown and turned into a pro-us regime, then the USSR will also lose this arms market. A military strike on Syria is essential. ”

William Perry reiterated a very important issue. "Your Excellency, did you know that bombing a country across its borders is a very serious diplomatic issue? In the end, we declare war on Syria and Iraq at the same time, which is very detrimental to the US military's operations. ”

President Mario put on a serious face and said to Secretary of Defense William Perry, "Is there a country in the Middle East that the United States can't contain?" The Iraqi army, which claims to be the strongest hegemon in the Middle East, is already in a dying and half-crippled state, and as long as the US military advances steadily, they will soon be completely annihilated. As for Syria, which is not as combat-ready as Iraq? It's just a small burden on the U.S. military in Iraq. ”

"The political significance of this bombing is more important than the military strike, and we want all the countries of the Middle East to know one thing, how stupid it is to stand against the United States, especially to choose to stand with the Soviet Union, the greatest enemy of the free world, which the United States absolutely cannot tolerate."

William Perry was silent. He did not know how to refute President Mario's words, and it was only a matter of time before he shot at Syria. Not now, though. The United States has not yet established a firm foothold in Iraq, and forcibly declaring war is increasing the combat burden of the US military.

"What if the air strikes on Syria are retaliated against?" William Perry said worriedly that he did not want the president to insist on carrying out this dangerous military operation.

"Are you counting on the Syrian Air Force, which does not even have a few fighters capable of fighting, to retaliate against the United States? Isn't it thinking too much? Minister William Perry. The entire Middle East is the sphere of influence of the United States, and we will absolutely not allow any opposition to provoke the United States, so these countries adjacent to Iraq have only two options. "President Mario has put his attitude right, as the current world's largest power in terms of overall strength, he naturally has the ability to say such arrogant words.

"Surrender or perish."

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General Binford, who was commanding operations in Iraq, felt a little inexplicable after receiving the order from Washington, first of all, from the perspective of military operations, planning such an air raid was simply inexplicable. But in a political sense, the United States is typical of wanting to burn the war into Syria's Hasakah governorate. It is also a signal to the opposition that it is time for you to behave.

But the biggest question now is whether the benefits of this air raid with greater political significance than military significance will outweigh the disadvantages, or whether the disadvantages will outweigh the advantages. Binford believes that the United States will definitely do more harm than good for the war in Iraq, and don't forget that there is a red iron curtain behind Syria, and General Binford also believes that as long as the US military carries out this bombing, then the superpower behind Syria will not sit idly by.

Secretary of Defense William Perry also took this into account, so in his correspondence with Binford, he specifically emphasized turning the airstrike into a "senseless bombing." ”

"Just drop the bomb on Syrian soil and save face for the bureaucrats in Washington. Just let them know that the U.S. military did carry out a bombing. William Perry rubbed his eyes and said helplessly, "Damn the Cold War mentality, our leaders always think about how to strike their opponents all the time in order to maintain that little bit of self-esteem, so there is such a stupid way of fighting." ”

During the Cold War, in order to ensure the so-called face of the country, the United States and the Soviet Union did many absurd and meaningless things during the arms race, and this was the most important thing in the eyes of the leaders of both sides.

"As long as you drop the bomb on the border area between Hasakah province and Iraq, your mission is complete. After giving Washington an explanation, the bureaucrats will not be too embarrassed for you, General Binford. Next, all we need to do is do our part, steadily sweep away Saddam's forces, and consolidate the US military's regime in Iraq. Let's not forget that the victory so far has been a small one, and Saddam's armored division has not suffered a real crushing blow. "William Perry, unlike Mario, likes to talk on paper, and he knows exactly how to minimize the damage of the American military in Iraq, rather than inflicting heavy losses on the American military in a reckless manner.

"What if Syria strikes back?" "All the assumptions so far have been based on idealistic circumstances, i.e., if Syria does not dare to fight back," said Binford. If Syria retaliates, it means that the U.S. military has declared war on both countries at the same time. ”

Minister William Perry was silent for a moment before he said slowly, "In that case, President Mario's political purpose will be achieved." The unprecedented victory in the early stages of the war made him anxious to expand this vital campaign, preferably to take Damascus and liberate all of Iraq in a short time. But you and I both know it's impossible. So we can only hope that Assad in Syria can see through our strategic intentions and does not intend to send troops to fight back. Otherwise, the U.S. military will face a brutal battle similar to Vietnam in the Middle East, and believe me, General Binford, no one in the military department wants to see such a thing happen. (To be continued.) )