Chapter 499 Middle East Strategy

An army without an air force, without heavy tank equipment, and relying almost entirely on light weapons to fight, has no combat effectiveness. Although they even defeated the Iraqi army with their flesh and blood, such an army is nothing but scum in front of the Soviet state machine.

Andre is not worried about not being able to defeat Iran, he is just considering the post-war situation.

"How about we continue to increase our troops in Iran and eventually control the entire territory of Iran?" said Ustinov.

Directly controlling Iran would be the most efficient way. However, Andrei disagreed with Ustinov's proposal: "Marshal Ustinov, this proposal is not appropriate. If we directly occupy this place, many people in Iran will be disgusted. You know, we are not friendly in the Iranians' impression. It will take a long time for the ice to melt. If we station troops everywhere here, in addition to consuming our precious strength, it will also make us fall into a quagmire."

Quagmire? Everyone was stunned when they heard Andre's words. What does quagmire mean?

"Our direct occupation will inspire the Iranians' so-called patriotic enthusiasm, and then numerous guerrillas will appear. At that time, we will have to constantly face guerrilla terrorist attacks. This will be the same as the Vietnam War quagmire that the United States was mired in back then." Andre said, "We can't kill all the Iranians, right?"

Back then, during World War II, the Soviet Union and Britain sent troops to divide Iran, which made Iran very unhappy. It was for this reason that after World War II, Iran threw itself into the arms of the United States without hesitation. Now, ordinary Iranians still have resistance to the Soviet Union. Once this resistance is used by the Americans, a group of guerrillas can be entangled, just like Afghanistan in history.

Now, the Soviet army occupies the eastern part of Iran, which is mostly sparsely populated. But in the west, Iran's main population center, it is a mixed bag with all kinds of people.

It is necessary to station troops in eastern Iran to ensure control of various strategic locations and firmly control the passage to the south. However, it is very unrealistic and stupid to station troops in Iran as the Soviet Union does not have the ability to fully control Iran.

"So what do you mean?" Andropov asked Andrei.

"Of course, we are still supporting proxies." Andre said, "Isn't that what we meant when we supported the Iranian People's Liberation Army? Let Iranians rule Iranians, what else can they say? Even if it is brought to the United Nations, it is Iran's internal affairs. We are only helping Iran maintain law and order in the east at the invitation of the new Iranian government. Once there is a conflict, let the Iranian People's Liberation Army rush to the front line. If they really can't solve it, they can use our strength."

This approach is almost the same as the treatment of island countries, and the experience of island countries has proved that this path is much better than directly ruling the country. After all, it leaves enough buffer and is easier for the other party to accept.

"We can hand over the fighter planes and tanks we have detained to the Iranian People's Liberation Army, which will greatly enhance their strength. When the Iranian regime stabilizes, they will serve as Iran's domestic security forces," Andre said. "They will have certain combat capabilities and will not be out of our control."

When Iran cooperated with us, Andre at that time had already laid the groundwork for the current situation. We did not tear up the contract, and the weapons were returned to Iran as usual. We just changed the government.

These are just small tricks. It is really easy to play tricks on these stupid Iranians.

"Andrei, your idea is fine, but there is another big problem. What about Iraq?" Ustinov continued to ask.

Iraq! After all, it was Iraq that started the war, and at that time, Moscow promised Shadam a lot of benefits, so that Shadam could attack with confidence. Now, the Soviet Union opened a front in eastern Iran, which can be said to be a boost for Shadam. However, if the Soviet Union supports a new Iranian government, the nature of the situation will change. You know, Shadam's idea is to completely occupy Iran, give the eastern part of Iran to the Soviet Union, and the western part to Iraq. Shadam had thought about this a long time ago. Now, Iraq has lost so many troops and invested so much manpower, but it has gained nothing. Iran has only changed its regime!

What would Shadamu do? He would definitely think that Moscow had betrayed him!

"Without the Soviet Union, there is no way that the stupid wood would have won the war against Iran." Andre said. Historically, Iraq only fought as far as Khuzestan Province, and was beaten back by Iran using human wave tactics. After that, the war burned all the way to Basra. Iraq is not good at fighting. It claims to be the fourth most powerful military country in the world, but in fact it is just high-minded and low-skilled.

"The conflict between Iraq and Iran is mainly about the territorial dispute at the mouth of two rivers." Andre said: "If we control the new Iranian government and cede the entire Khuzestan Province to Iraq, the Iraqis should be satisfied, right?"

Khuzestan Province is the main industrial province in southwest Iran! It is also a major oil production area. Ahvaz is one of the largest oil fields in Iran. Moreover, the Iraqi army is now in Khuzestan Province, welcoming the counterattack of the Iranian army. Khuzestan Province may not be completely preserved. If this province is ceded to them, it will be enough to satisfy Iraq.

If Shadamu is still not satisfied, then the pressure from Moscow will be something he cannot bear!

"Moreover, in view of Iraq's weakness in the oil industry, our Soviet oil company is willing to help them update their aging oil equipment and increase oil production. Moreover, they don't have to invest any money, just give us a portion of the shares in oil extraction," Andre continued.

Everyone smiled when they heard Andrei's words. The meaning was obvious: the land could be given to Iraq, but the oil had to be controlled by Moscow!

Now that the battle has begun, it must continue. Moscow's goal is to control the energy base of the entire Middle East! And the key to unlocking the energy land of the Middle East is Iraq!

"At the same time, as good friends, we will of course support any military action by Iraq, especially those countries that stab Iraq in the back should be retaliated by Iraq," Andre continued.

Stabbing someone in the back, this is the brotherhood in the ysl world!