The onus is on both Israel and the United States to prevent another World War that could cripple the economy of every nation including the two countries spearheading aggression in the Middle East. There is no doubt that after the recent developments, Benjamin Netanyahu has consolidated his position as the Prime Minister of the Jewish state but it is high time that he and those supporting him, should be made to realize the consequences of further strikes.
Iran has been forced to directly get into the conflict after select target killing of senior Hamas and Hezbollah functionaries, many of whom were eliminated despite heavy security. Obviously, there have been traitors in their ranks, who have supplied vital information to Mossad and other intelligence outfits that have led to the assassinations.
What is sending alarm bells within the Iranian state is that it does not have the military capability to retaliate effectively against Israel, which has the complete protection provided by the United States. The extent of intelligence penetration in the higher echelons of the Iranian government is also a subject of speculation and it is evident that there is this crisis of both integrity and loyalty that comes to fore.
Israel could not have achieved the success it has managed without the active cooperation or connivance of some key members of the Iranian establishment, who not only provided important information but perhaps also collaborated. This is scary and if reports are to be believed, many top Iranian leaders have gone into hiding or are keeping their whereabouts a top secret.
The timing of the strikes also suits Israel since it coincides with the election in United States, which is barely a month away. No Presidential nominee or political party in America can take a stand against Israel and has no option but to support its every action. Therefore, Netanyahu is having his way and many believe that till the time he is in office, there shall be no end to aggression or strikes.
The escalating situation in West Asia may have isolated Iran and some of its allies, but it is being viewed with great concern in Europe where the killing of women and children in Israeli strikes is being not only condemned but finds hardly any endorsement.
Russia and China, the two superpowers which have been on Iran’s side are watching the unfolding events very carefully. If they have not stepped in, it is because they know that it would amount to a full-fledged confrontation with America, which would result in further escalation. Russia and China have both been for a new world order but they have to adopt a practical approach in order to keep their options open.
It is being felt by some experts that China has not been able to take on the United States in its own backyard, meaning that it has been able to do nothing about Taiwan except making noises. Therefore, to expect it to mount some sort of an offensive in distant Iran is completely ruled out at this juncture.
The situation shows that there is complete Israeli supremacy in the region and no other country such as Saudi Arabia or even the UAE is willing to oppose the Israeli-American alliance. The quest for peace is the only thing that can be strived for and this is evident from the fact that the Muslim world is divided on Israel and thus the Jewish state has nothing to fear.
However, it does not mean that Israel should be allowed to unleash its aggression on unarmed population in any of the states it has attacked. There has to be an international mechanism to rein in its leaders, particularly Netanyahu, who has got a political lease by his actions within his own country.
There is this talk on whether Israel shall bomb the nuclear installations in Iran or go in for its oil fields. There are also conjectures over extensive bombing of the Shia country in order to cripple its military capabilities, which in any case are very inadequate as compared to those of Israel. It is an uneven war where Iran may be forced to resort to unconventional methods to strike back.
These methods can be in shape of assassinations carried out of Israeli and American functionaries in other countries or methods such as engineering hijackings or carrying out terrorist activities. However, these actions shall also have consequences for the civilian population of Iran.
There is also speculation that a regime change could be on cards in Tehran, and a more US friendly government may come to power there. At this juncture, the issue is about national pride and no Iranian would be able to reconcile with the ease with which their country can be targeted by Israel.
Tel Aviv has demonstrated that it is with painstaking patience and ability that it developed expertise in identifying its targets, and it was with equal application that it used devices such as pagers and other communication equipment to neutralize its enemies.
Turkey, which had earlier made statements condemning Israel, is choosing to keep away from the conflict since it has many of its own internal issues to attend to. Russia under Putin is already engaged in a war in Ukraine and shall have to weigh its options before opening another front.
In the meanwhile, the media coverage of the conflict is completely one-sided, meaning that it is the Israeli propaganda that is being dished out. Dangerous scenario. Between us.