Spotlight: U.S. anti-terrorism policy adjustments bring new change to Middle East landscape

The United States has begun to adjust its anti-terrorism strategies in the Middle East, prioritizing the fight against the Islamic State (IS), a move expected to have a significant impact on the region.

A case in proof is that in the latest battles against IS militants in the IS-held city of Fallujah in Iraq's western province of Anbar, Iraqi government forces began to coordinate with paramilitary Shiite units and were joined by members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and Lebanese Hezbollah.

Such adjustments will lead to changes in the Middle East landscape as Iran may further expand its influence in the region, especially in Iraq and Syria, and sectarian contradictions could be likely intensified.

U.S. ADJUSTMENT OF ANTI-TERRORISM STRATEGIES

First, the United States has begun to take Iran and Russia as allies in fighting terrorism.

In Fallujah battles, the Iraqi government and its troops that have close ties with Iran, were joined by paramilitary Shiite units under the leadership of Gassem Suleimani, major general of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps "Al-Quds Force," and members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Though there is no report on U.S.-Iran coordination in the fighting, some analysts believe that mistaken bombings that harm Iranians could not have been avoided if there were no coordination and consultation between the two sides.

Moreover, Washington and Moscow have conducted cooperation in Syria. The two sides have worked together to bring about the cessation of hostilities plan and conducted joint operations against terrorist groups in Syria.

Second, Washington allows the Bashar al-Assad government in Syria and the Iraqi government to fill the power vacuum.

Many Western analysts believe that the rampancy of such radical groups as IS and al-Qaida in the region was mainly caused by the power vacuum in Iraq and Syria.

By far, the U.S. administration has tacitly allowed the al-Assad government and Kurdish militants to fill the power vacuum in Syria after the IS is expelled, while in Iraq, the Iraqi government led by Shiite is permitted to fill the vacuum.

Third, the United States began to distance itself from Gulf states, its traditional allies.

Gulf states have been key allies of the U.S. anti-terrorism campaign. However, their involvement in recent military actions either in Syria or in Iraq is hardly seen.

Furthermore, the U.S. Senate on May 17 approved legislation that would allow victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks of 2001 to sue Saudi Arabia, whic is charged by plaintiffs of giving financial support for terrorism.

IMPACT ON MIDDLE EAST LANDSCAPE

Against the backdrop of frequent terror attacks in Europe and ineffective anti-terrorism policies, U.S. President Barack Obama, whose presidential term will soon expire, hopes to build prestige in fighting terrorism and restoring stability in the Middle East.

Such adjustments would impact the regional situatoin. On one hand, the U.S. anti-terror policy adjustments would enhance Iran's influence in the region, especially in Iraq and Syria, help consolidate Russia's influence in the region, and facilitate the al-Assad government to hold power.

On the other hand, such changes may exacerbate sectarian contradictions in the Middle East region, leading to discontent among Gulf states and the panic of Israel.

Gulf countries and Israel are likely to react to these changes, though it is hard to predict what specific reactions they will make now. Endi