US, Russia Secretly Repartition Middle East: Syrian Baath Party Official
A senior Syrian Baath party official says Russian and US officials have reached a secret agreement regarding Middle East developments, repartitioning the regions with slices of the cake also going to Iran and Saudi Arabia, but not Turkey.
A senior Syrian Baath Party official told Iranian newspaper Vaghaye Daily that American and Russian officials joined in talks about four months ago to negotiate a solution for the region’s crises. The informed source who spoke under condition of anonymity said the sides had agreed that a continuation of the status quo could trigger a third world war, which will not benefit any of the sides involved. The talks held behind closed doors have allegedly been held amid the nuclear talks between Iran and the six world powers, when Russia’s measures in Syria were intensified and efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis had just begun. The remarks suggestively take us back to some two months ago when former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger visited Russia to meet Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. At the time, he told reporters that the situation in the world was dangerous and a third world war would not be unlikely if things were to go on as they were. Now, the Syrian Baath Party’s regional leader says the sides have reached an agreement after hours of complicated talks, the details of which are outlined below.
Yemen for the Saudis
The sides agreed to give the Saudi Kingdom the final word in Yemen, as the latter is the kingdom’s backyard. Given the one-year war the Saudis started there and the huge costs they have undergone, they will naturally want to keep the country in line with their own interests. Of course, they should consider Iran’s interests to resolve the Yemeni crisis and the Houthis’ interests to establish peace in the country. That is why a truce has been established on the Yemeni-Saudi borders and talks have begun for repartition. The Saudis are trying to convince the Houthis for alliance and make concessions in order to maintain their own interests. Thus, according to the Syrian Baath Party official, peace is expected to be gradually established in the country, with the war officially coming to an end.
Syria for the Russians
The Syrian politician says the Americans have agreed that Russia should have the final say in Syria. They have also agreed to stop considering secession in Syria and officially recognize its unity and integrity. Thus, the US will cooperate with plans and equilibriums proposed by Russia in Syria so long as they do not interfere with its interests. The US will stop efforts to oust Assad and will try to resolve the crisis through political solutions. It will also try to bring Syrian opposition groups to the table and force them to reach a final agreement with Assad. The European countries’ approach to Syria has now clearly changed, says the Syrian senior politician. “They even congratulated the liberation of Palmyra from ISIS control, calling it a great breakthrough,” he added. Clearly, Iran’s interests should also be taken into account. The Americans have delegated the agreement with Iran to the Russians.
Lebanon for Iran
It is agreed that Iran have the final say in Lebanon, with Hezbollah having the upper hand in all the country’s affairs. The US officials see this as a remarkable concession to Iran in the light of the nuclear deal. That is why the Saudis are taking out their assets from Lebanon and reducing their influence over the country. They have come to the understanding that there is going to be no place for them in the country anymore, according to the Syrian Baath leader. Even the inclusion of Hezbollah in a list of terrorist groups and the pressure imposed on the Gulf Cooperation Council or the Arab League to do the same were in line with the same efforts; to give them the opportunity to express their fury at Lebanon wherein they will soon have no place; to pretend they are leaving the country to cease ties. It was for the same reason that the Saudis canceled their $3 billion aid package to Lebanon.
Iraq for Americans
The Americans have decided to return to Iraq in political, military and security spheres. The media are saying some 3500 American individuals have come to the country as military advisors. The informed Syrian source has told Vaghaye Daily that the number has now exceeded six thousand but the US officials do not want it to surface in media. They are helping liberal figures affiliated with them back to power. Imad al-Kharsan, known for his close ties with the Pentagon, has returned to Iraq. It is also said that the technocrat cabinet Haider al-Abadi has proposed to the parliament was endorsed by the United States and chosen from among individuals close to them. Ali Allawi, who had left for the US during Nouri al-Maliki’s term, is also back home. He is included in the proposed technocrat cabinet and chosen by the parliament as the Minister of Finance. The US officials have stressed that Iraq’s integrity should be preserved and that the US is no longer considering its secession. In doing so, serious measures have been taken against Kurdish independence so far as President Obama has disagreed with Massoud Barzani’s visit and many US officials have left his calls unanswered. However, the Americans say they consider Iran as the second power in Iraq and will definitely try to sync all affairs therein with Iran and its interests.
According to the high-ranking Syrian official who spoke with Vaghaye Daily’s Ali Mousavi Khalkhali under the condition of anonymity, Iran disagrees with the repartition of the region secretly agreed upon between Russia and the United States, stressing that countries outside the region should not make decisions for Middle East countries.