Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 203 The United States' Dilemma
United States, White House.

The newly appointed President Förde is reviewing reports of the Arab allies' offensive against Damascus.

As a special case who went directly from vice president to president after the Watergate scandal, Ford is also the first person in the history of the United States to ascend to the presidency without going through an election process after the president resigned.

At the same time, he made a decision that was both politically courageous and extremely unpopular—pardoning former President Richard Milhouse—which caused his approval ratings to plummet further.

Within just one month of taking office, President Ford's approval rating plummeted from 71% to 47%, the worst in the history of the United States.

President Ford sighed as he watched the performance of the Arab coalition forces.

The allies' victory helped the United States expand its influence in the Middle East, but the problem is, they played it too damn well.

"Gentlemen, we are facing a thorny problem."

After convening his leadership team, President Ford began by saying, "I acknowledge that Shuangzhi is currently our most important ally in the Middle East, but given the current situation, I still consider it a potential threat for the future."

The other cabinet members looked at each other, wondering if the president had lost his mind due to the recent barrage of criticism.
The Finance Minister broke the silence first: "Mr. President, please forgive my bluntness, but we have more pressing issues to address. The domestic inflation rate has already exceeded 12%, the number of unemployed exceeds six million, and the manufacturing capacity utilization rate is less than 70%. If we further antagonize Shuangzhi, the economy will suffer even more severe damage."

Compared to the Treasury Secretary, Secretary of State Erich von Stern was less polite: "I must also remind you, Your Excellency, that Shuangzhi is now the United States' most loyal ally in the Middle East and a crucial part of our deployment in the Middle East. Unwarranted adventures could cause your approval ratings to plummet further."

A drop in approval ratings does not lead to the impeachment of a president, but the problem is that if grounds for impeachment are found and a two-thirds majority in the Senate agrees, the president can be immediately convicted and removed from office.

Now the situation is even more dire for Ford, as the Watergate scandal has resulted in Democrats holding more than 90% of the seats in the Senate (Ford is a Republican).

Once he's caught red-handed, his political career can be declared over.

President Ford sighed: "Don't you all understand my concerns?"

“Of course I understand,” Erich’s eye bags seemed to deepen, “but look at the reality: Shuangzhi is actively pushing forward with secular reforms, adopting our technical standards, and using the US dollar to settle oil transactions. In the short term, this is the situation that best serves our interests.”

He paused, then continued to persuade the president before him: "Do you remember the ambitions your predecessor had when he took office? Milhouse established the Environmental Protection Agency, implemented tax reforms, and broke the ice with Seris. But in the end? A political disaster overshadowed all his achievements."

Ehrlich leaned forward: "More importantly, supporting the Arab coalition against Zion is the most popular choice at present. We can use this to divert domestic attention and boost your approval rating."

“Are we just going to sit idly by and watch the Arabs unify?” Ford asked rhetorically.

"Don't worry, even if we agree, Ant won't."

Erich replied, "Surria, Hashim, and Algeria are all traditional spheres of influence for Ant. Now they're following the lead of the two powers; if anyone's worried, it's Ant more worried than we are."

President Ford's eyes lit up, and he laughed, "You're right. I've been too busy lately and my head is a bit foggy. We can definitely increase our support for Shuangzhi and help him become the leader of the Arab world."

“Exactly,” Erich nodded. “Let Ant play the villain, and we’ll play the staunchest supporters of the Arab cause. This not only serves our interests but also puts Ant in a dilemma.”

"Then I'll leave this to you, Erich." President Ford looked at the Secretary of State with hope in his eyes.

Erich replied, "I will be visiting Shuangzhi soon. Both countries' governments have just gone through a sensitive and turbulent period. I hope our relationship with Shuangzhi can continue smoothly."

"Yes, that's the most crucial thing," President Ford affirmed.

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.

Kunetra, on the edge of the Golan Heights.

Commander Hafiz stood on a patch of scorched earth, bent down and grabbed a handful of blackened soil, letting it slip through his fingers. “In my memory, Kunetra was once a rich village, with olives piled up like small mountains during harvest season. Now it has been ruined by the Zionites.”

"Robbers never cherish what they have stolen."

Lu Lin walked to his side, his military boots crunching over the broken rubble. "Only by making them pay the price will these people learn to feel pain."

Commander Hafez nodded in deep agreement.

"About the Golan Heights..."

"I have faith in your character, Your Highness Amir."

Hafiz interrupted him before he could finish, saying, "As I promised at the military conference, Surria is your strongest ally, and at present, everything is focused on defending Zion."

Lu Lin secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried that he would repeat the same mistake as Masil back then, but he did not expect the other party to be so insightful.

In reality, Commander Hafiz also had his own ulterior motives. The Golan Highlands were too far from Shuangzhi, and the Hashim Kingdom was in between, making the supply line long and fragile.

In his view, the Arab coalition would definitely withdraw after the war, so he might as well do Lu Lin a favor and let him lead the allied forces to defend this strategic location for him.

"I have another suggestion that might garner more international support for us."

Hafez continued, "Given the current situation, many countries should be willing to support the resolution that Arafat should declare himself a sovereign state."

Lu Lin pondered for a moment: "But it's no use for us to just talk about this. The Arafat people themselves must speak out and stand up to declare the establishment of their nation."

From the United Nations' perspective, Arafat is not even considered a sovereign state, and the conflict between Zion and the Arafat people is simply defined as an ethnic conflict. Now, Arafat is also experiencing tensions with its neighbors, first with the "Black September" that broke out in Hashim, and then with the civil war that broke out in Phoenicia. During the "October Bloodshed," they were also regarded as an "extremist organization" by many Western countries.

"I met with the leaders of the Liberation Organization of Arafat during the fighting in Phoenicia and Zion."

Hafiz said, "In my opinion, they were originally just a group of fighters fighting to liberate their homeland, but the lack of a program and their desperation made them increasingly radical. Maybe you can find a way to pull them out of the quagmire of extremism."

I?
Although the PLO has not yet completely degenerated into the terrorist organization it is known as in later generations, in Lu Lin's view, the serious harm that Arafat has caused to the Hashim and Phoenicia has gone beyond the scope of peaceful mediation.

"Becoming a sovereign state does indeed garner them more attention."

Lu Lin concluded, "But I believe the key to solving the problem lies in getting them back to their homes."

While conquering Zion won't resolve all the conflicts, it can resolve most of the current ones.

The two stood on the Golan Heights, gazing in the direction of Tel Aviv.

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.

As soon as Lu Lin entered the command center, Ibrahim handed him a briefing with a complicated expression.

Lu Lin reached out and took the briefing, asking curiously, "Is there something wrong?"

"It's hard to explain in a few words," Ibrahim hesitated for a long time before finally saying to him with a complicated expression, "In any case, congratulations."

Lu Lin opened the document, and as he read on, his brows furrowed more and more deeply.

The briefing detailed the entire process of the conservatives colluding with Mossad to plot the assassination of the Shams king, and how Prince Mohammed stabilized the situation in the critical moment and ultimately ascended to the throne as the new king.

This also explains why he was suddenly awarded the titles of Minister of Defense and General.

They launched a rebellion.

To assassinate the king.

Colluding with Mossad.

As if sensing Lu Lin's anger, Ibrahim said softly, "His Majesty Muhammad has brought the situation under control, but the conservatives still have a large following in the country."

Then he handed a sealed document to Lu Lin: "This is what your father specifically requested to be given to you."

Just then, Tamiya walked in. Seeing the envelope in Lu Lin's hand, he turned to Ibrahim: "Have you told His Highness everything?"

Ibrahim gave him a meaningful look.

"Have you received any instructions from the church?" Lu Lin asked before Taimiye could speak.

He clearly remembered that before the war, Ibrahim had confessed to him that the church's purpose was not pure either; it wanted to interfere in the affairs and orders of the army, and also to record his inappropriate words and deeds.

This makes it easy for Lu Lin to associate the church with conservatives.

“I’m not sure yet,” Tammy replied cautiously, “but their attitude has clearly softened. They first congratulated you and then expressed their hope that you could go back and complete the promotion ceremony.”

What ceremonies require the church to preside over?

"The naming ceremony of angels".

Tammy spread his hands: "The Church will personally bestow upon you the title of 'Gibrill', not a slang term."

“You really need to go back now,” Ibrahim said from the side. “This is also your father’s wish. Your promotion to Minister of Defense and General was only through a simplified procedure, and you have not yet received the formal investiture.”

Lu Lin nodded: "Does my father have any other instructions?"

"Yes, His Majesty has requested a troop rotation. He hopes you will bring the newly trained reservists from the northern border region to the front lines for training, while sending two main divisions back home for rest and recuperation."

Lu Lin calculated that the journey from Quneitra back to Riyadh was about 1,700 kilometers, and if things went smoothly, it would only take five or six days.

“I asked Bandar to come with you. Shall we set off now?” Ibrahim asked.

Lu Lin did not answer immediately.

He thought of King Shams, of the favoritism and care the king had shown him, which he could no longer experience.

He took out two cigarettes, lit them, and gently placed one on the edge of the table.

He put the other one in his mouth and took a deep breath.

"Wait until I finish this cigarette."

(End of this chapter)