Has the US Become Safer After Soleimani's Death? Experts Say "Well..."

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Has the United States become safer following the death of Qasem Soleimani, the former second-in-command of Iran and commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps? Doubts are growing both inside and outside the U.S. regarding the order given by President Donald Trump to eliminate Soleimani.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On the 6th (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported that skepticism among experts has increased concerning the operation to eliminate Soleimani. Questions are being raised about the objectives behind his removal and the underlying strategy involved.

Previously, the U.S. stated that Soleimani was eliminated to make the country safer. However, immediately after his death, Iran vowed retaliation against the U.S., and the U.S. Department of Defense is deploying thousands of additional troops to the Middle East, creating a contradictory situation. The sudden decision to eliminate Soleimani has pushed the U.S. toward the risk of war with Iran.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Ellie Geranmayeh, an analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), said, "No one can explain what President Trump intends to do with Iran," adding, "There is no discernible pattern or long-term strategy in this decision."

Experts pointed out that this decision has only increased the unpredictability of President Trump's strategy toward Iran. Without clear policy goals or priorities from the Trump administration regarding Iran, it becomes impossible to know the red lines Iran should not cross or the points where compromise might be possible.

The inability to predict President Trump's actions could ultimately lead to an uncontrollable situation. If the U.S. intentions remain unclear, Iran might cross invisible red lines in the dark.

There are also criticisms that this outcome runs counter to U.S. strategic goals. Iran has resumed uranium enrichment, and the economic sanctions that had caused hardship and turned public opinion against the government have now united Iranian citizens under anti-American slogans. Furthermore, tensions between the U.S. and the Iraqi government have deepened. The Iraqi parliament has passed a resolution demanding the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in the country.