Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 202 Overture
"Is our United Kingdom providing support for such a national regime?"

At Buckingham Palace, the Queen of the United Kingdom reviewed briefings on the Beirut massacre, her voice unusually stern.

She gently placed the documents on the table and then pushed them toward the Prime Minister: "I thought that everyone sitting in this room was a gentleman who adhered to civilized norms."

Prime Minister Ted, sitting opposite him, gave a wry smile and explained, "Your Majesty, our reason for helping them is also for strategic interests."

"Strategic interests?"

The Queen interrupted him without any politeness: "You should be ashamed of what you said, Ted! We have been aiding Zion for over twenty years, and what has been the result? I have not seen any benefits. On the contrary, we have made a huge fool of ourselves at the Suez Canal, giving the United States and Ant a handle to criticize us in front of the world for 'disregarding the sovereignty of other countries'! And now, we are about to be labeled as 'accomplices in genocide'!"

Prime Minister Ted adjusted his tie awkwardly: "I apologize, Your Majesty, but we have made substantial additional investments in Zion, exceeding five hundred million pounds during this war alone."

The Queen rose, walked to the window, and looked out at the garden: "Yesterday the Archbishop of Canterbury told me that even the faithful in the church are questioning—what is wrong with this country?"

The Prime Minister remained silent; he understood the Queen's meaning.

The United Kingdom's view of Arabs is complex, but it does not harbor the kind of deep-seated hatred based on race or culture that has lasted for centuries.

Support for Zion is more about preserving colonial influence and other interests.

Zion's actions during this period have crossed the line for the public.

The Queen continued, “When my grandfather George VI was on the throne, we fought against the Nazis of Prossen to stop such atrocities, and now we are funding another of the same atrocities?”

Prime Minister Ted paused for a moment before finally speaking: "I understand, Your Majesty. I will discuss with the Cabinet the possibility of issuing a statement at the United Nations, ensuring that the United Kingdom completely severs ties with Zion."

The Queen nodded slightly.

"Then I'll take my leave."

The Prime Minister greeted the Queen and was about to leave when he heard her whisper behind him: “Mr. Prime Minister, I hope you understand that the greatness of the United Kingdom lies not in always choosing the most profitable path, but in adhering to the right direction.”

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Upon returning to Downing Street, Prime Minister Tedros immediately convened an emergency cabinet meeting.

"ladies and gentlemen,"

The Prime Minister rubbed his temples wearily. "Her Majesty the Queen has made it clear that she wants us to immediately cease all support for Zion. What are your thoughts on this?"

“I agree,” the Foreign Minister began. “Over the past few years, our investment in Zion has been completely disproportionate to the returns; on the contrary, we have lost almost all of our markets in the Arab world.”

"More seriously, the oil embargo by Arab countries has already exacerbated our economic woes." The Chancellor agreed, then reported, "If we continue to support Zion, I fear an even more severe economic crisis will ensue."

“Watson, what do you think?” The Prime Minister turned his gaze to the Secretary of Defense.

“If Zion can win, then everything will be fine. With both infamy and victory on his shoulders, Hilbert can at least play his role as the black glove. But as it stands, it’s already good enough that Zion can hold the line.”

Watson shook his head: "Losing the Golan Heights is equivalent to losing the initiative in the war. Amir will not give them another chance to fight back—unless God himself intervenes to take sides."

"So, we've reached a consensus on this?" Prime Minister Ted looked at his cabinet.

Everyone remained silent.

Such an important national policy should have been discussed in parliament, even for several weeks or months.

However, it has now been approved in such a short time.

The Prime Minister nodded: "In that case, immediately instruct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to draft a statement that the United Kingdom strongly condemns the humanitarian disaster caused by Zion in Damascus and Beirut, and immediately suspends all military and economic aid to Zion."

"Since the United Kingdom will no longer interfere in Zion's affairs, we need to completely sever ties with Zion and let them fend for themselves."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Meanwhile, at the Allied headquarters in Damascus, Lu Lin was presiding over a military meeting.

"Through this battle, we severely damaged Zion's military system, and most importantly, we depleted their veterans—a resource that cannot be replenished in the short term."

Lu Lin looked at everyone and said, "We just received news that Prime Minister Hilbert has called for a nationwide mobilization, but this just shows that they have run out of ideas."

This time, we defeated and captured a total of 60,000 Zion soldiers, the vast majority of whom were veterans of the Six-Day War. Including the Central Army forces wiped out on the west bank of the Hashim and in Quneitra, this means that at least one-third of Zion's strength has been destroyed by us.

Upon hearing this achievement, the commanders from various Arab countries present all showed joy on their faces.

This was an unprecedented victory for the Arab allies.

This also meant that the situation had completely reversed. "Commander, can we take this opportunity to launch a general offensive against Zion?" the Lirvia commander asked tentatively.

"No, now is not the time."

Lu Lin gave his reasons for denying it: "Zion is in high spirits after its general mobilization. Their people will fight to the death against the Arab invasion of their territory with the ideal of defending their homeland. We will face an extremely strong counterattack."

Moreover, after a series of battles, the Allied forces have suffered heavy losses, and we need time to replenish our manpower and equipment.

According to Lu Lin's estimate, they would need at least three to five months of rest and recuperation. During this time, they would need to stabilize the situation in Damascus, build and expand a complete logistics system, and solidify the defensive lines along the Hashim River and the Golan Heights.

At the same time, by using the international situation to put pressure on Zion and reducing economic and military aid to it from allies such as the United Kingdom, Zion will be isolated internationally and its domestic economy will begin to collapse.

With this shift in power, social contradictions within Zion will increase day by day, and the people's enthusiasm for resistance will decrease. At that time, it will be much easier for them to launch an attack.

"While the massacre perpetrated by Zion in Beirut is heartbreaking, it has certainly given us leverage, providing us with a new reason to drive these butchers who threaten the entire Arab nation into the sea," Colonel Hadi of Al-Iraq said.

"And Damascus," Commander Hafez added grimly, "these Zion scum have committed countless atrocities in Surria, burning temples, massacring, exterminating faith, and looting. In Damascus alone, tens of thousands of Surrians have been brutally murdered. I will report this to the United Nations as important evidence for our upcoming military operations!"

Surria has always been the most steadfast anti-Zion nation, and after this incident, the anger towards Zion has reached its peak throughout the country.

It is in no way inferior to Arafat.

At this moment, Fahd knocked on the conference room door and said to Lu Lin, "General, congratulatory telegrams have arrived from various Arab countries."

Lu Lin had just been promoted, and many of his old subordinates hadn't yet adjusted. In Shuangzhi, the Minister of National Defense was implicitly considered to be a Grand General, while the highest rank for other generals was Lieutenant General. To some extent, the two were equivalent.

This means Lu Lin skipped the "General" designation, but no one objects to it now.

Lu Lin succinctly replied: "Read it."

Fahd coughed and said, "Algerian Prime Minister Boumeadin sent a congratulatory message: 'On behalf of the Algerian people, I extend my highest respect to the heroic soldiers who liberated Damascus. May God bless the Arab cause, and I look forward to jointly achieving the great goal of national liberation.'"

"Lirvia Joseph sent a congratulatory message: 'With the witness of God and the guidance of Gabriel, we Arabs are united and will ultimately be invincible. The Levant will witness the downfall of the invaders and the revival of the nation.'"

"."

Almost all Arab allies sent messages of celebration at this time, and countries such as Corvette and Trusir also indicated that they would provide further military assistance to their Arab allies.

Eradicating Zion, this malignant tumor, from the Middle East has been a long-cherished wish of Arab countries, with many even enshrining it in their national policies. And after twenty years of continuous disappointment, the man who could lead them to victory has finally appeared.

For the first time in history, Arab countries put aside all their differences and achieved an unprecedented unity.

Before this, only the prophet and the four caliphs were able to do this.

"I'm afraid some countries won't agree."

As Lu Lin watched the commanders from various countries chatting excitedly, he sensed the dissolving barriers between them. An invisible pressure from history on another timeline was falling on his shoulders as the Allied Commander.

Although the world has changed, with the United States and Ant Group prioritizing the dismantling of colonial empires and seemingly breaking off relations, the Middle East remains the same Middle East—possessing the world's most astonishing oil reserves, and its every move can easily influence the global economic landscape.

Under these circumstances, it is unlikely that any country would be willing to sit idly by and watch relations between Arab countries improve.

Even if it's just to temporarily form a united front against Zion.

"The United States will definitely want to talk to me afterward. And Ant will certainly try to divide the Arab League from within, causing the Arab world to lose its unity."

However, now that there is no reference point, Lu Lin has no idea how things will develop next.

Good and evil can never be the international standard for measuring a country's actions. Long-time allies may become enemies, and enemies may become friends.

"But... whatever, let's kill Zion first."

Lu Lin surveyed the representatives from various countries present: "Gentlemen! History has given us the best opportunity yet. If we do not unite now and completely defeat Zion, not only will the Arab people think of us, but even Allah will consider us a bunch of spineless cowards!"

Representatives from various countries expressed their agreement.

"Your Excellency is right. We must unite and utterly crush Zion!"

Hafiz raised his coffee cup: "But today, let us first celebrate the liberation of Damascus!"

The other commanders also raised their glasses: "To freedom, to Allah!"

(End of this chapter)