Sikandar Noorani
UNEXPECTED attack near Baghdad airport to target top Iranian General Qasem Solemani by the US is enough evidence that Washington can display arrogance at any moment on the soil of weaker countries. Iranian response was much predictable! Iran has given, General Solemani, the stature of a legendary martyr in the form of a grand public funeral and pledged to avenge the loss by striking back at American interests. Top Iranian leadership clearly directed the armed forces to strike at USA through unhesitating direct actions instead of using much cautious method of proxies. Public sentiments are at a boil in Iran and nothing short of a tough response can serve a suitable face saving to Tehran. Though, Washington threatened Tehran to refrain from striking at American targets which are scattered in the Middle East in form of military bases and naval ships, however, Iranian rockets struck the American bases in Iraq.
Tehran claims death of 80 American troops whereas Washington announced zero causality. Most probably, USA ensured dispersal of troops from all such bases which are likely to be attacked by Iranian rockets or missiles. President Trump’s short public address on Wednesday was full of aggression, pride and arrogance. He clearly threatened all the opponents especially Iran that American forces are equipped with the most lethal, effective and the smartest weapon systems. Zero tolerance towards Iran’s nuclear program was strongly pressed with the traditional allegations of sponsoring terrorism. But the most important part of this arrogant speech was the disclosure about America’s lesser interest in the Middle Eastern oil which Trump attributed to enhanced oil production by US itself. Trump’s message is loud and clear that any deviation from American laid out plans will be liable to unpredictable harsh punitive military action. Bitter fact of the moment is that aggressive actions, American strike and Iranian rocket attack, took place at Iraqi soil.
America has bases in Iraq and Iran enjoys a wider influence spread from masses to the state quarters. No one has time to think about the sovereignty or integrity of Iraq whose Parliament demanded immediate departure of American troops amid attack on General Qasem. America immediately dishonoured the Iraqi demand by extending the threat of economic sanctions. Before digging deep about the intentions of America, sane minds should pay attention towards the statement of old man of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohammad, who minced no words in disclosing the serious threats looming over the Muslim world. Dr Mahathir has very rightly pointed out that coercive global players can cross any limit against the weak countries and eliminate anybody whom they dislike for any invalid or unjustified reason. As advised by Dr Mahathir Mohammad, unification of the Muslim world is the only option left to survive in the global jungle.
America’s unfair aggressive conduct spread over decades and recent arrogant speech sufficiently proves that the sole superpower pays no heed to the international laws and treaties. Weaker nations are destined to kneel in disgrace and surrender to the most unbearable violence of the powerful abusers. Justice, in the comity of nation, can never be obtained through begging or weeping. It can only be earned thorough honourable means! There is no honour for the weak and vulnerable nations. Strength can only be gained by creating a balanced combination of economic prosperity, deterrence-based military might, efficient governance, ideological unification and vigilant diplomacy. Lacking in any one quality can enhance the vulnerability of a state. Despite being economically stable, Arab countries of the Middle East and Gulf are weak in military muscle and seriously lack in the fields of research and technology. This handicap has virtually deprived them from sovereignty.
Pakistan, despite being militarily strong, suffers from economic deterioration, bad governance and societal polarization. Iran, despite being ideologically fortified and partially sound in military might, is over entangled in regional adventures and proxies. Sufferings of the Muslims, all over the world, are the bitter outcome of disunity, disinterest in scientific research, lack in technology and over reliance on western exploiters. American intentions should be thoroughly assessed to draw precisely accurate lessons. Sometime back, despite long history of mutual acrimony, Iran and USA fought against joint enemy DAESH on Iraqi and Syrian soil. In the first place, Israel seems to be the prime beneficiary of Solemani’s assassination. Closure of the Strait of Hormuz by a provoked Iran will certainly interrupt oil supply to China and Russia.
Iranian rocket attacks on American bases spread across the Middle East will be more harmful to Arabs than USA. America’s strategic partner – India – enjoys thick relations with Iran. Tehran, under tough testing times, should exercise maximum restraint with minimum retaliation required for face saving. Initial call for peace and neutrality from Islamabad was a good move but a negligent stance will be disastrous in future. Clarion call by USA in the Middle East should be taken as a dangerous early warning for the nuclear capable Pakistan which is deeply pitched against Indian proxies and terrorist networks sponsored by India which happens to be a trusted strategic partner of America and Israel.
—The writer is a free lancer who often contributes in national news papers.
