Salahuddin Haider
REPORTS filtering in about Pakistan prime minister’s desire to mediate peace and put out the raging US-Irani conflict is really laudable, but can it succeed, even partially, is a million dollar question, answer to which is difficult to derive, at least for the present. Arguments from analysts, even top level experts, at home and abroad, brings forth mixed reactions, to some extent confusing also, but a silver lining does seem to build up hope that the gloomy or dangerous situation which the fire, gaining fury somewhat rapidly, could be controlled, or at least minimised by collective international affairs.
Russia and China have condemned killing of Irani military General by the US drone attack on Baghdad. True, mere condemnation is not enough. Concrete proposals and endeavour must start to prevent the chances of war that has begun to threaten peace on Earth. Pakistan’s worries in this highly inflammable situation, is a matter of genuine concern, explained in considerable detail by foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s statement in the parliament.
Pak-Afghanistan peace efforts, almost at success point, may roll back to square one, and Iraq, Middle-East could once again be in critical position. However, former foreign secretary Shamshad Khan does not think that American would land troops on Irani soil, because such attempts in the past, though different forms and of limited objectives, were quickly nipped in the bud. Agreed that position now is vastly different from what it was few years, or a decade or two in the past. Disagreements that a flare up appears building up by announcements that America has 52 rival targets in sight for attacks, and vice versa atleast a dozen US targets are in line as counter-measure, can never be called reality.
Viewed from any angle, the situation is explosive. It diffusion demands complete commitment by all and sundry. Else the result could be much more than mere pits and falls. The world has entered 2020 with the threat level between the US and Iran at its highest for many years. Mourning scenes in Tehran are at the heart of the matter. Qassam Soleimani, one of Iran’s most influential figures was killed in a US drone strike on January 3rd. Soleimani led the crack military Quds force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. He was regarded as the second most powerful man in Iran, and key to Iran’s regional reach and influence.
His killing is raising important questions worldwide Iraq’s United Nations Ambassador Mohammed Hussein Bahr Aluloom called on the UN Security Council to condemn the US raid that killed Soleimani and the PMF leader. He urged the council in a letter on Monday to hold accountable “those who have committed such violations.” Bahr Aluloom also called on the Security Council to ensure “that Iraq is not dragged into international and regional crises,” and to prevent “the law of the jungle” from prevailing. The US is almost certain to veto any Security Council action sought by Iraq against the Trump administration.
Washington’s decision to deny visa to Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif for Security Council meeting, lends credibility to argument that fire can spread far more rapidly than could be imagined.
A world, searching for peace, has suddenly been taken aback, an example of which could be the warning from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of the risk of any miscalculation amid global tensions “at their highest level this century.” The UN chief says the tensions are “leading more and more countries to take unpredicted decisions with unpredictable consequences,” though he he did not mention any country by name.
But even within American administration, difference of opinion does seem visible, evident from the US Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s suggestion that the US military would not violate the laws of armed conflict by striking Iranian cultural sites, a move threatened by Trump.
Asked whether he was willing to target cultural sites, Esper told Pentagon reporters: “We will follow the laws of armed conflict.” Pressed on whether he would then not target such sites, because that would be a war crime, Esper said: “That’s the laws of armed conflict.”
That led Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to tell reporters on Thursday “if we get word of attacks, we will take pre-emptive action as well to protect American forces, protect American lives,” adding “the game has changed.”
