The USA & Israel Support of al-Qaeda Leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani in Syria
December 9, 2024โข365 words
"Since September 11, 2001, the powerful coalition of nations, led by the United States, has seen many successes against al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups. It is imperative that we remain united and steadfast in the quest to defeat terrorism around the world." ~ Kenny Marchant
"Now, al Qaeda's on the run. Afghanistan is no longer a base of operations. The Afghan government is a friendly government that is trying to bring democracy to its people." ~ Condoleezza Rice
"I fear that our true motivation is about oil and our own flailing economy; about the failure to destroy Al Qaeda and about revenge." ~ Dave Matthews
"It's not religious war, but Al-Qaeda always use religions, Islam - actually, as a pretext and as a cover and as a mantle for their war and for their terrorism and for their killing and beheading and so on." ~ Bashar al-Assad
The overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in Syria on December 8, 2024 has important political, social, economic, and geopolitical implications.
With the assistance of U.S. and Israeli military intelligence, rebels led by al-Qaeda leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani were able to weaken Assad and the Syrian military.
The fall of Assad marks the end of authoritarian rule but risks replacing it with factional or extremist leadership under Abu Mohammed al-Golani. However, the rebels are reportedly pro-Israeli.
After a decade-long civil war, it reached a climax in a revolutionary overthrow, there is uncertainty regarding the potential for civilian displacement, refugee crises, ethnic or sectarian conflict, or, conversely, the possibility of a peaceful transition, hopefully the latter.
Control over Syria's oil, gas, and trade routes by the rebels would disrupt existing economic ties with Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia. This shift would enable a flow of oil, gas, and other raw materials through Israel.
The regional balance of power is shifting as the U.S. and Israel position themselves against Russia and Iran. The rebel overthrow weakens Iranian influence while enhancing U.S. and Israeli strategic power in the region.
The control of oil, gas, raw materials, and the disruption of transportation routes for goods and services through Syria to Lebanon further complicates the Middle East.
