A new Middle East is being built by Iran
On Saturday, the US Navy announced it was dispatching a nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine to the Persian Gulf, passing Egypt's Suez Canal on its way to Bahrain. Including the exact path and exact location of the vessel was a calculated move: The United States has been assessing Iran's Shiite militia network throughout the region for the past week. A submarine containing 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles' immediate goal is to strengthen US naval presence in the Gulf by adding significant firepower on Iran's doorstep — a clear signal to Tehran that the US is willing to take action to protect its interests. In response, Iran announced that its naval fleet would conduct a large exercise in the Gulf and Red Sea - a declaration that Tehran views itself as free to operate anywhere. There is also a strategic dimension to Washington's move. The US is highly concerned about a growing axis in the region between Iran, Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia. The meeting between Iran...