Soviet Union 1991

Third update

Because the civil war to overthrow the Assad regime has not yet broken out in Syria, the Soviet Union did not have absolute control over the military base established at Basil Assad Airport on the southern outskirts of Latakia in northwest Syria, as it had historically. right. However, the Port of Tartus has become increasingly important due to the acquisition of control of the Turkish Strait. This naval base port built in 1971 ushered in a booming spring and became a vital midway supply station for the Mediterranean Fleet.

President Mario's face has not been very good these days. First of all, the US military, which has been running rampant in Iraq since the Gulf War, suffered a painful blow in the city of Baghdad when Saddam's death squads died together. Although they finally got a Pyrrhic-like victory Victory, but also directly led to the rise of the first wave of anti-war demonstrations in the country. Then, just when he was gearing up to further escalate the situation, the Soviet Union very rarely stood up and expressed its willingness to conduct arms sales to Syria and Iran, dispatch a military advisory team, and provide military asylum to the two countries.

If Baghdad is just a strategic command error, 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 US military and the Soviet Union in the Middle East, but he would not allow the Soviet Union to grow in power in the Middle East, so he approached Secretary of Defense William Perry to discuss a provocative action with him.

"Cross-border bombing?" When William Perry heard President Mario say this plan, his first reaction was whether the president was joking with him. The war in Iraq is still raging. Are you planning to declare war on two countries at the same time by bombing Syria?

"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 troops have crossed Syria, then we have the right to retaliate in Syria. This is also a warning to the other party. Don’t get too close to Soviet forces.”

"Syria is very important to the Soviet Union. First of all, the Soviet Union has the Tartus military port in Syria. If we can implement regime subversion in Syria, then this Soviet military port will be lost, which means that the Soviet power in the Mediterranean will be destroyed. Secondly, the Soviet Union maintained a strong influence on Syria. With a good and cooperative relationship, the Syrian government imports a large amount of arms from the Soviet Union every year. It is one of the Soviet Union's largest arms markets. If the Syrian regime is overturned and becomes a pro-our regime, the Soviet Union will also lose this arms market. "A military strike into Syria is essential."

William Perry reiterated a very important question, "Your Excellency, President, do you know that cross-border bombing of a country is a very serious diplomatic issue? Maybe the end result is that we declare war on Syria and Iraq at the same time. This is very detrimental to the U.S. military’s operations.”

President Mario put on a serious look and said to Secretary of Defense William Perry, "Is there any country in the Middle East that the United States cannot deal with? The Iraqi army, which claims to be the strongest overlord in the Middle East, is already in a dying state. As long as the US military advances steadily, they will soon be annihilated. As for Syria, whose combat effectiveness is not as good as that of Iraq? It will only add a small burden to the US military in Iraq."

"The political significance of this bombing is more important than the military strike. We want all Middle Eastern countries to know one thing. How stupid it is to stand against the United States, especially choosing to stand with the Soviet Union, the biggest enemy of the free world. Together, this is something that the United States will never tolerate."

William Perry was silent. He didn't know how to refute President Mario's words. It was only a matter of time before he took action against Syria. But not now. The United States has not yet established a solid foundation in Iraq. Forcibly declaring war will increase the combat burden of the US military.

"What if there is retaliation from the other side after the air strike on Syria?" William Perry said worriedly. He did not want the president to insist on carrying out this dangerous military operation.

"Are you saying that you expect the Syrian Air Force, which doesn't even have a few fighter jets capable of combat, to retaliate against the United States? Are you thinking too much? Secretary William Perry. The entire Middle East is the sphere of influence of the United States, and we are absolutely No opposition force will be allowed to provoke the United States, so these countries adjacent to Iraq have only two choices." President Mario has corrected his attitude. As the world's largest power in terms of comprehensive strength, he naturally has the ability to say such arrogance. words.

"Surrender or perish."

General Binford, who was conducting operations in Iraq, felt a little baffled after receiving the order from Washington. First of all, from the perspective of military operations, planning such an air strike was simply inexplicable. But in a political sense, the United States is a typical example of wanting to bring the war to Hasakah Province in Syria. This is also a signal to the opposition dissatisfied with Assad's rule that it's time for you to show something.

But the biggest question now is whether this air strike, whose political significance is greater than its military significance, has brought more benefits than harm to the United States. Still doing more harm than good. Binford believes that the U.S. war in Iraq will definitely do more harm than good. Don’t forget that there is a red iron curtain behind Syria. General Binford also believes that as long as the U.S. military carries out this bombing, Syria will The superpower behind it will not sit idly by.

Defense Secretary William Perry also took this into consideration. So in his correspondence with Binford, he specifically emphasized turning the air raid into a "senseless bombing."

"Just drop the bomb on Syrian soil and give face to the bureaucrats in Washington. Just let them know that the US military has indeed carried out a bombing." William Perry rubbed his eyes, feeling helpless. Said, "Damn Cold War mentality, our leaders are always thinking about how to deal blows to their opponents. In order to maintain their little bit of self-esteem, this is why such a stupid way of fighting emerges."

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

"As long as you drop the bomb at the border area between Hasakah Province and Iraq, your mission will be completed. After giving an explanation to Washington, the bureaucrats will naturally not make it too difficult for you, General Binford. Next, we just need to do our part, clean up Saddam's forces steadily, and consolidate the US military's regime in Iraq. Okay. Don't forget that the victories so far are just small battles. Saddam's armored division has not suffered a substantial blow. "William Perry is different from Mario who likes to talk on paper. He knows very well how to make it happen. The losses of the U.S. military in Iraq were minimized, instead of a reckless and reckless behavior that caused heavy losses to the U.S. military.

"What if Syria strikes back?" Binford asked in a low voice. "All the assumptions so far are based on an idealistic environment, that is, when Syria does not dare to fight back. If Syria strikes back, it means The US military declared war on two countries at the same time.”

Minister William Perry was silent for a while and then said slowly, "In this case, President Mario's political goal will be achieved. The unprecedented victory brought by the early stage of the war made him eager to expand this crucial battle. It would be best to capture Damascus and liberate all of Iraq in a short period of time, but you and I both know this is impossible. So we can only hope that Assad in Syria can see through our strategic intentions and not plan to send troops to fight back. Otherwise, the US military will face a brutal battle similar to that in Vietnam. Believe me, General Binford, no one in the military wants to see this happen." (To be continued.)