In Pepe Escobar’s analysis, he paints a grim picture of the geopolitical landscape surrounding Syria and the wider region, dominated by the ambitions of the “Empire of Chaos,” primarily the United States, and its allies. Both Tehran and Moscow are bracing for turmoil, recognizing that the ongoing conflicts are but the beginning of a broader war against the BRICS nations and the broader concept of global resistance. Escobar articulates a narrative where Syria is not just a battlefield for territorial control, but also a symbolic struggle for cultural and societal existence amidst a terror campaign led by mercenary groups and Western powers. This upheaval is intertwined with the plight of Palestine, suggesting a deliberate strategy by NATO and its partners to distract and dominate the Global Majority while perpetuating subjugation in the Middle East.
The author criticizes the narrative of unity and rebuilding proposed by think tanks like Chatham House, which suggest a “watershed moment” for Syria led by Western powers. He argues that these proposals, fueled by intentions to expel Russian influence, signal a deeper disregard for Syrian sovereignty. Escobar highlights the irony of these plans, which aim to revise a regional order molded by the forces that have historically oppressed the area. Rather than unification and recovery, he sees a fracturing of Syria and an erosion of the Axis of Resistance—a coalition that includes significant players like Iran, Russia, and China—whose struggles against Western imperialism have historically defined the area’s politics.
At the core of this power struggle is the concept of “Divide and Rule,” which Escobar traces back to historical colonial strategies. He links contemporary events to earlier geopolitical manipulations, emphasizing the persistence of a policy that seeks to destabilize Arab nations through sectarian divisions and external intervention. He raises concerns about the ambitions of leaders like Erdogan, coupled with the Israeli state’s machinations, to further penetrate and dominate the Levant. The tragic irony, according to Escobar, is how the U.S. and its allies have managed to almost inadvertently assist the very ideologies and groups they purported to oppose, as seen with their interactions with the al-Jolani-led factions in Syria.
Escobar posits that much of the chaos now is driven by opportunism on the part of NATO and its coalition partners, who are eager to exploit Syria’s instability for their gains. He describes a scenario where foreign-backed factions, driven by Salafi-jihadist ideologies, work to dismantle Syria as a unified state. The author paints a bleak future where areas controlled by groups favorable to the West serve as a breeding ground for further violence, ultimately leading to a mosaic of power that favors external exploiters over the regional populace. This fragmentation fits the historical narrative of imperial ambitions in the region and places the lives of millions at the mercy of external whims.
Moreover, he underscores the growing desperation within the U.S. political realm, particularly under the Biden administration’s indecisiveness, contributing to an environment where the Israeli military feels emboldened to operate more freely in previously restricted areas. It appears that, rather than a coherent strategy, what exists is a chaotic scramble for power reverberating across West Asia. Escobar identifies the key factor of local alliances, suggesting that figures like al-Jolani might yet seek partnerships with Russia or Iran for their respective benefits, thereby complicating the simplistic narrative of a unified opposition against these powers. This potential realignment reflects the fluid dynamics that define conflicts in the region, which never adhere strictly to singular narratives of conflict and division.
In closing, Escobar warns against underestimating the resilience and strategic adaptability of East-West relationships, particularly between regional players like Tehran and Moscow. The ongoing struggle for who asserts control in Syria is symptomatic of larger global battles, where the future of the BRICS coalition and the Global Majority hangs in the balance. The narrative that the “Empire of Chaos” presents is not only a facade—there is deep narrative control and psyops at play that continue to shape perceptions and actions on the ground. As the article concludes, the prospects for stability in Syria are bleak, with external players continually crafting opportunities for conflict rather than resolution, reflecting a broader struggle that transcends borders and challenges existing power structures.
