Increasing influence of Russia and China in the Middle East jeopardises US interests, warns US Centcom Chief

Washington: Although the IS has been defeated, the United States’ conflict in the Gulf is far from over. The opposing countries, Russia and China are increasing their influence in the Gulf and this is contrary to the interests of the United States. Therefore, the United States will have to continue with its resistance in the Gulf to stop Russia and China, said General Joseph Votel, the Chief of the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

While speaking before the US ‘House Armed Services Committee’ General Votel expressed concerns over the increasing Russian and Chinese influence in the Gulf area. General Votel claimed that Russia and China are systematically increasing its political and military power in the Gulf countries. General Votel referred to the Russian movements in Syria as a case in point.

Russia has assumed control over the Syrian affairs by participating in the civil war in Syria. General Votel accused Russia of orchestrating the war as well as attempting to stop the war. Russia has used Syria as a testing ground for its arms and ammunition. While testing arms, Russia has not taken care about the loss of lives in Syria, blamed the US CENTCOM Chief.

Russia is using Syria to bring Iran and Turkey under its influence, said Votel. Votel reminded that although Russia had announced withdrawal of its troops from Syria last December, it continues to give military aid to the Assad regime. Russia is posing challenges to the US policies by making exaggerated statements about the presence of IS in Afghanistan, warned Votel.

Votel also expressed concerns about China increasing its political and military influence in this region on similar lines as Russia. Votel blamed the policies of the former US President Barack Obama for this increasing Chinese influence. Votel claimed that it was because of the nuclear deal signed by Obama with Iran that China got the opportunity to increase its co-operation with Iran. While increasing the co-operation with Iran, China also extended the scope of co-operation with Saudi Arabia.

Other than this, by announcing the ‘One Belt One Road’ (OBOR) policy, China has deployed army at the Gwadar Port in Pakistan and Bab-el-Mandeb port in Djibouti. But while making this deployment China has avoided getting involved in the Gulf conflict, said Votel.

Meanwhile, the increasing Russian and Chinese influence is a challenge to the US domination in the Gulf and the US will have to stop these countries, warned Votel.