A few "musician" soldiers were holding guns and maintaining vigilance, escorting dozens of captured 1515 armed group members with bound hands and dejected expressions along the ravaged street.

[Miller's voice carried a trace of barely detectable excitement, his speed accelerating:

"...and just under twenty-four hours ago, I was fortunate enough to personally witness a short yet fierce defense battle! The warriors of 'musician' defense impressively and professionally smashed a group of 1515 members trying to infiltrate!

They are here not merely as mercenary guards! They are deeply rooted, genuinely fighting terrorism, using their lives and blood to protect this region's security situation that is as fragile as glass! They are the cornerstone preventing Hulmatu from falling back into the abyss of darkness!" ]

Finally, the camera gave a brief yet highly symbolic close-up—Song Heping's silhouette.

He stood on a slightly elevated embankment, whispering with an elder of the tribe wearing a traditional Arabic robe, whose beard was graying.

The dusk outlined his sharply contoured profile, showing a focus and composure marked by an unexpected firmness for someone his age.

Miller's voice-over added the final halo:

["...during my short yet deep conversation with Commander Song Heping, I felt profoundly that he is not, as some speculate, a warlord pursuing personal power and territory.

On the contrary, he is extremely pragmatic, calm, and truly binds his destiny with this land and its people, a key figure dedicated to stabilizing the region and bringing order.

Further analysis indicates some degree of tacit cooperation between 'musician' defense and the US troops stationed in Iraq, jointly maintaining Northwest Illinois's fragile yet critical strategic defense line..." ]

The news segment continued to play, but no one in the conference room could watch it peacefully.

Silence.

Dead silence.

Every General's face looked like a spilled palette, with clashing shades of blue and red, extremely unpleasant.

Especially Minister Austin, whose brows were tightly furrowed, almost knotted.

James Miller's report, with its timing, perspective, carefully edited content, and that infectious yet misleading commentary...

Everything was flawlessly coordinated, a textbook example of media warfare! It successfully transformed Song Heping from the former "war hyena" and "PMC leader" into a "terrorism hero," a "guardian of peace," and a "cornerstone of regional stability" cherished and relied upon by the public in turbulent times!

Moreover, the seemingly casual yet crucial "analysis" at the end of the report cleverly and seamlessly bound 'musician' defense with the US Army, hinting at some "cooperation" relationship.

This is equivalent to putting on a "Moral Golden Armor" and "bulletproof vest of media" for Song Heping before the Pentagon presses the missile launch button globally!

Placing him under the absolute moral high ground and the protective umbrella of worldwide media attention!

"Did everyone see clearly?"

Simon turned off the news feed, the screen turning dark and reflecting the varied and equally grim faces in the conference room.

"Song Heping now is not someone who can be casually erased from a list like discarding trash files on a computer 'unstable PMC leader'."

Simon reminded slowly: "He is a 'hero' that the media is fully crafting and packaging, about to be recognized by countless viewers worldwide! He is the 'symbol' of Hulmatu's peace and stability!"

He leaned slightly forward, his gaze as sharp as a knife towards everyone:

"If we followed some 'decisive' suggestions and dispatched F-35s or drones, precisely wiping him and his command from Hulmatu's map..."

Simon purposefully paused for a full five seconds here, allowing each General present to fully imagine and predict the future situation and scenarios for Northwest Illinois.

"...then, I can guarantee one hundred percent, what will we face tomorrow, no, even tonight?"

His voice suddenly heightened, with prophetic heaviness:

"It is CNN, BBC, France 24/7...all mainstream media globally, with overwhelming condemnation, questioning, and criticism! It is endless hearings and investigations on Congress Hill, organized by senators long dissatisfied with military budgets and overseas operations! Extending for months or even years! It is our main competitors in geopolitical strategy at the United Nations and various international venues, ruthlessly and publicly mocking the 'American-style betrayal' large-scale live teaching lessons!"

Simon's gaze finally returned to Colonel Kote, whose face was ashen, with sarcasm at its peak in his tone:

"Moreover, it is the complete and destructive blow at the moral and global media level to the strategic layout and regional influence in Iraq and the Middle East that our United States invested billions of dollars and sacrificed thousands of excellent soldiers to barely maintain!"

"Colonel Kote!"

He calmly laughed, full of sarcasm:

"Is this what you mean by 'for greater interests'?! For such 'interests', are you going to drag the entire United States down, burying with your foolish and reckless clearing action?!"

Colonel Kote opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out.

The consequences Simon described had long exceeded mere military action gains and losses, a burden not even Minister Austin, sitting at the head of the conference room, could bear!

Seeing everyone's silence, Simon struck while the iron was hot:

"Gentlemen, based on the above sober understanding of the current complex situation and the highest consideration of national core interests, I firmly believe, not only can Song Heping not be viewed as an enemy and eliminated, but rather, we must immediately adjust our strategy, turning towards a limited, transparent, but absolutely necessary cooperation with him!"

He raised one finger:

"First, the Reality Interest Lock. The temporary stability of Hulmatu and even the entire Northwest Illinois region completely aligns with our current core strategic interests of containing 1515's resurgence and preventing Persian and its proxy forces' infiltrative expansion."

He raised the second finger:

"Second, Public Opinion and Information Lock. James Miller's report is only just the beginning, the vanguard of the first wave of media tsunami. Once Song Heping is dead, more and more deadly sensitive data will be thoroughly and ruthlessly detonated!"

He raised the third finger, his gaze sweeping across the room:

"Third, Cost Evaluation Lock. Whether military or political, the comprehensive cost required for full-out war with Song Heping is far, far higher than limited cooperation with him."

Simon's gaze finally landed on the chief decision-maker—Minister Austin's face.

"Minister, Generals,"

He was cold but clear.

"The choice is now in your hands. Is it to choose a war with consequences that are absolutely disastrous, with no winners? Or is it to choose the cooperation path that maximally preserves our United States of America's actual national interests and strategic security? It is time to make the final choice."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com