The Syrian conflict is a pivotal piece in a broader US-NATO strategy aimed at reshaping the Middle East and Central Asia. Under the guise of “humanitarian intervention” and regime change, this conflict reveals the intricate geopolitical ambitions of the West, with far-reaching implications for the region’s stability and global power dynamics.
Syria has been in the crosshairs of US-NATO military planning since the mid-1990s. The 2003 Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act officially categorized Syria as a “rogue state” supporting terrorism, paving the way for covert operations and destabilization efforts. These plans gained momentum in 2011 with the onset of the Syrian conflict, initially presented as a peaceful protest movement but, in reality, heavily supported by external forces. Armed insurgents, funded by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Israel, and backed by US intelligence, infiltrated the protests to undermine the Assad government.
The destabilization of Syria is strategically linked to broader efforts to weaken Iran. Former US President George W. Bush admitted to directing the Pentagon to prepare military plans for both Syria and Iran. This strategy is tied to control over the region’s vital oil reserves, pipeline routes, and the broader goal of maintaining Western hegemony over global energy markets.
Israel, Turkey, and Gulf states play significant roles in this strategy. Israel’s support for Salafi insurgents and Turkey’s backing of Muslim Brotherhood factions in northern Syria are part of a coordinated effort to destabilize Syria’s secular government. These actions align with a US-NATO military roadmap, which integrates regional allies into a unified operational framework. Meanwhile, economic sanctions and covert support for Syrian opposition groups have further isolated Damascus, setting the stage for potential direct military intervention.
The geopolitical stakes extend far beyond Syria. A broader conflict involving the integration of distinct war theaters—Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, and Libya—threatens to engulf the Middle East and Central Asia. The region’s strategic importance, with its vast energy reserves and pipeline networks, makes it a critical battleground for global powers, particularly as Russia and China deepen their ties with Syria and Iran. Russia’s naval base in Tartus and its military cooperation with Damascus underscore the potential for this conflict to escalate into a global confrontation.
The Syrian conflict exemplifies how regional instability can serve as a prelude to larger geopolitical maneuvers. The road to Tehran, as the saying goes, runs through Damascus. The outcomes of these strategies will shape the future of the Middle East and redefine global power structures, but at the cost of immense human suffering and regional instability.
By understanding the larger geopolitical context, it becomes clear that the Syrian conflict is not an isolated event but a calculated step in a broader plan to reconfigure the balance of power in the Middle East and Central Asia. The stakes are high, and the consequences of further escalation could reverberate across the globe.
By Hon. Duruebube Chimazuru Nnadi-Oforgu
OBLONG MEDIA UNLIMITED 
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