The waves and airspace of the Pacific and Indian oceans are no longer devoid of maneuvers and counter-maneuvers that put the world in an “atmosphere of war and division into two camps”, caused by maneuvers between Russia, China and Iran on the one hand, and maneuvers between the United States, South Korea and Britain on the other.
As experts spoke to “Sky News Arabia”, what is happening elevates these maneuvers to the level of “preparation for war”, at a time when the new “cold war” has reached its “climax”.
maneuvers and counter maneuvers
On Wednesday, high-level maneuvers began with the participation of Iran, Russia and China in the northern Indian Ocean, called the “Maritime Security Belt”, and it will last for 5 days.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Defense, the exercises will help deepen cooperation between the navies of the participating countries, while Russia said it will upgrade tactical operations.
The three participating countries are in sharp disagreement with the United States, as US President Joe Biden’s administration has not yet reached a formula of understanding with Iran regarding the nuclear program, and Washington is in indirect conflict with Russia in Ukraine, and Sino-American relations are worsening because of Taiwan.
Earlier, Washington announced the conduct of the “FTX Warrior Shield” maneuvers with South Korea near the North Korean border, which were launched on Monday, in response to the latter’s continued launch of ballistic missiles.
Limited British forces participate in the maneuvers, while Pyongyang says it is a rehearsal for an invasion of its territory.
“Not maneuvers”
Jasser Matar, an expert in international affairs, commented, “We should not call them maneuvers, but they are really closer to preparing for war, and they may be similar to the atmosphere before the world war.”
Matar warned that the situation is “causing concern,” after the “Cold War has reached its climax” between all parties, and the whole world will pay the price for the mistake, as he described it.
In looking at the map of the maneuvers between all parties, Matar said that it “may draw for us the shape of the new conflict, its parties, the map of the war, and where it will be,” noting that the crash of the American drone in a confrontation with Russian planes “also portends an imminent confrontation.”
The political analyst suggested in an interview with “Sky News Arabia” that the solution could emerge from within Ukraine, if the active forces in the war there were able to prevail over the language of dialogue, away from the language of “military bragging”, and then files such as North Korea and Taiwan might settle.
types of maneuvers
War maneuvers are not equal in their significance, as the expert in international relations, Majed Faraj, reviews their types, and when countries resort to them:
• There are joint maneuvers aimed at conveying a message from two countries to another.
• These maneuvers are similar to those that America conducts annually with South Korea to restrain North Korea.
• This type gives indications of war disturbance.
• The recent maneuver between China, Russia and Iran is like declaring an alliance.
• The huge military bloc that participated in the maneuvers gives the impression that it is a military mission.
• Other maneuvers within the country and far from the borders of countries, often aimed at training.
• There are maneuvers aimed at consolidating military relations or transferring expertise from one country to another.
• Some maneuvers are in preparation for war, such as what Russia carried out before its military operation in Ukraine on the borders.
• More than 100,000 soldiers and huge equipment participated at that time, which made those concerned unanimously agree that it was a preparation for war.
• As soon as this mobilization took place, Ukraine began to prepare for war and received military aid.
