George Bush’S Great America [EN]: Chapter 235

Air Force One, originally scheduled to cross the Pacific and return to the United States, changed course and headed towards England. With the exception of fighter jets, there was no need for mid-air refueling or stops at other airports.

The decision to travel was made discreetly. While the discussions themselves were to be kept private, the visit itself was widely known. However, the detour to England on the return trip from the battlefield was a juicy piece of gossip.

The purpose of the visit was unclear, leading to rampant speculation. Considering the President’s notoriously busy schedule, this sudden detour to England was certainly newsworthy.

However, there’s usually a reason for such secrecy.

“Then what do you expect us to do? We’re doing our best!”

“Do you think three years is acceptable? The United States promised to help, but it’ll take three years!”

The sight of two elderly men, far past their prime, raising their voices with such intensity was not pleasant, even in description. An observer might have feared one of them would suffer a stroke.

One might even question if Bush came to the right place. The decision originated from the EU, not the UK. There was a time when the UK could exert considerable control over Europe, but now, it’s merely a prosperous economic power.

That’s significant, of course, but pale in comparison to its former influence. Yet, Bush’s visit wasn’t misdirected. In fact, this was the most appropriate destination. The EU lacks a single leader, but if one were to be chosen, it would be Germany. While the EU doesn’t blindly follow Germany’s lead, Germany can significantly influence its direction.

However, Germany isn’t inclined to reveal everything simply because the United States demands it. Why would they? They might, but it’s unlikely. More likely, they’d claim to handle it themselves, leading to a tense standoff. Therefore, the UK, a member of the Five Eyes [an intelligence alliance], was the key to a ‘sincere conversation’.

Initially, the two men spoke quietly, but as their discussion went in circles, their voices gradually rose, eventually reaching a fever pitch. As their voices grew louder, their emotions escalated, and with no one else present, they openly argued.

“Oh, Tony! Tony Blair! You know what the world will look like in three years. How Britain will be devastated by the shockwaves from the Middle East. And you know what the EU will look like!”

“I know, I know. But our best estimate is three years! We can’t reduce it any further!”

Blair’s plea to Bush concerned the EU and the following issues.

First, Iran’s non-compliance. Iran was undermining the negotiations. The reason: they are Shiites, not Sunnis. Shiites make up only about 10% of Muslims, but with so many Muslims worldwide, that 10% represents nearly 200 million people. Iran’s condition was:

‘More than 80% of Kurds must convert to Shia Islam.’

This was a persistent problem. Those unfamiliar with the Middle East might assume it’s exclusively Muslim, but that’s incorrect. Various faiths exist, including Yazidism, a minority religion that worships a monotheistic god called Yazdan, unrelated to Islam. From Islam’s perspective, it’s a complete heresy. And most Kurds are Yazidis.

Therefore, Iran was willing to accept some losses if it could convert heretics and increase the number of Shiites. While it appears as ‘Negotiations? Forget it!’ on the surface, it was actually a significant concession from Iran’s perspective.

Negotiations on this point were progressing rapidly. Some Kurds would rather commit suicide than abandon their faith. Regardless, that was Iran’s condition.

Second, Turkey. Turkey was testing the waters regarding EU membership, with the condition of joining the EU. The EU was creaking internally and externally, but when wasn’t it? Regardless, Turkey viewed the EU as a powerful, united force in Europe, effectively dominating the Middle East.

Turkey also desired EU membership. However, relinquishing territory for membership was too great a loss. Turkey wanted more than just membership; they wanted a bonus. The EU, aware of this, hoped to resolve it with money, but money isn’t everything. Money was merely the membership fee. What was the bonus?

A guarantee for Islam. Not the typical European guarantee of religious freedom, but active inclusion in the European Constitution. This included issues like ‘halal food’ and, importantly, ‘guaranteed prayer time’ for companies. Such laws already existed in Europe, but violations weren’t treated as severely as death. The difference lay in the accepted status. This was the bonus Turkey sought.

Eastern Iraq wasn’t included because it was already accepting the EU’s conditions: financial support. Specifically, it was clinging to its foothold in the northern Iraqi oil fields, so losing them wasn’t a major concern. Money was more crucial for reviving the economy. Sacrificing a small portion of land in the north to secure 50 years of economic stability was a bargain.

To be precise, it wasn’t just the economy but a grand, ambitious construction project, though the economy was the primary focus.

Thus, the EU’s envisioned border began in Dahuk, Iraq, and reached Batman, Turkey. It crossed Bitlis, slightly included Lake Van, passed through southern Van, and reached Urmia. It was an almost oval-shaped border returning from Urmia to northern Dahuk, resembling the border with the Republic of Macedonia.

Blair wanted to applaud himself for setting a three-year timeframe. This was achieved through negotiation rather than force. He could only sigh.

Honestly, Blair considered this plan foolish. The oppression of ethnic minorities in the Middle East was unfortunate, yes, but the human rights and ethics of others, not one’s own people, are politically unhelpful. More than unhelpful, they’re a burden.

The EU’s attempt to control and divide the Middle East aimed for stability, but it would be easier to simply burn the entire region. Forceful intervention would suffice. Humans ultimately succumb to greater power.

Like the relationship between Europe and the United States. The EU now has its own army, but previously, it was under the strong protection of the US military through NATO. The United States won’t withdraw from NATO, but if it did, things would become difficult.

Blair believed that deploying troops repeatedly and crushing terrorists until they could never resurface would eventually end the war on terror. He thought that calmly suppressing terrorists to prevent resistance or even the thought of terrorism against Europe would work.

Of course, that was impossible. In the original timeline, the United States, with its unparalleled national power, proved this by occupying Iraq, only to worsen the situation and be driven out. But the people of this era couldn’t have known that. Only 20 years had passed, and people could become millionaires overnight by winning the lottery. It was unlikely that Blair knew this.

The reason Afghanistan shifted to a pro-American regime after the US invasion was because Bush had an unusually high understanding of Afghanistan and quickly withdrew before getting bogged down, while also fulfilling the Afghan people’s desires. Massive aid also played a role.

To the Afghan people, the US military was a righteous apostle and a peace army that restored their religion and human rights. For the next half-century, barring major incidents, they would remain friendly countries.

‘Damn it. To think I have to go around for a long time because of that eccentric guy, leaving the easy way!’

If it weren’t for one American obsessed with ‘ethics’, things would have been easier. Of course, such thoughts sometimes brought self-reproach. Blair was a modern human being. But would that make Britain richer? Would it guarantee Britain’s safety?

“I’ll even move the US military if necessary. Is it still not possible?”

After listening to all the explanations, Bush, enduring his frustration, even offered military intervention. However, there were already too many troops in the Middle East, rendering it ineffective. Bush’s offer stemmed from the urgency of the situation, considering suppressing Iran and Turkey by force. Negotiation seemed impossible otherwise.

In Turkey’s case, the constitutional issue was an internal EU matter. The same applied to the Kurds. Would they rather die than abandon their faith? These were problems that could easily take ten years to resolve, let alone three.

However, Blair had a solid reason for confidently stating ‘three years’.