Russia has accused US President Joe Biden of carrying out military strikes in Iraq and Syria for the purpose of boosting his chances of re-election. The Russian Ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, made these claims during a meeting of the Security Council. According to Nebenzia, Biden’s decision to engage in conflicts in the Middle East was not a response to the deadly attack on US soldiers in Jordan, but rather a strategic move to improve his image.
The US recently initiated airstrikes against numerous targets associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and its allied groups. These strikes were in response to drone attacks in Jordan, which Washington attributed to Iranian-backed militias. Nebenzia criticized the US for presenting these airstrikes as retaliation for an attack on an American base in Syria, stating that they lacked justification.
Nebenzia further argued that the primary motivation behind these military actions was Biden’s desire to influence the domestic political landscape in America and improve the image of his administration. With the upcoming US presidential elections in November, Biden’s approval ratings have been declining while former president Donald Trump gains popularity. Experts believe that escalating tensions in the Middle East could potentially benefit Biden’s re-election campaign if handled strategically.
The US government has defended its strikes in Syria and Iraq by citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, which grants states the right to self-defense against armed attacks. However, they have emphasized that they do not seek further conflict in the region and are actively working to contain and de-escalate the situation in Gaza. According to US representative Wood, “we are not seeking a direct conflict with Iran.”
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that seven Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) special forces were killed and 18 others injured in a drone attack on Monday, February 5th. In addition to the strikes in Iraq and Syria, the US is also involved in bombing Houthi rebels in Yemen, alongside its allies. This action was taken in response to the Houthis’ attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea, which they carried out as retaliation for Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.
In conclusion, Russia has accused President Biden of using military strikes in Iraq and Syria as a means to bolster his re-election campaign. While the US government justifies these actions as self-defense, Russia argues that they lack justification and are primarily aimed at improving Biden’s image. As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, the outcome of these military actions could have significant implications for both domestic and international politics.
