Washington risks allowing the strengthening of Moscow and Beijing in the Middle East due to the weakening of the American military presence in the region, AP reports citing the head of the US Central Command, General Kenneth F. Mackenzie.
“The Middle East as a whole is a place of intense confrontation between the great powers. And I think that as we adjust our position in the region, Russia and China will seek to fill the vacuum that has formed there”, – Mackenzie said.
In particular, the military leader did not rule out the expansion of Russian and Chinese influence in the Persian Gulf.
“I think that they (Russia and China. – Ed.) take into account that the United States is changing its position (in the Middle East) and looking at other parts of the world, and they can see this as an opportunity for themselves”, – he stressed.
Mackenzie also suggested that Russia and China will engage in arms sales in the Middle East.
Earlier, NATO decided to begin the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan by May 1. The US said it would complete the process by 9/11.