- The way the geopolitical scenario is panning out in West Asia/Middle East in the last few weeks must be causing a tremendous amount of heartbreak for every concerned citizen of the universe. The US-Israel-Iran war has been forcefully thrust on us simply because of the miscalculation of Donald Trump/Benjamin Netanyahu of steamrolling the Iranian leadership in a matter of a few days. The attack has been ongoing for more than a month now, with no palpable signs of an immediate thaw in the way both protagonists are going about defending their respective stands. The efforts to initiate peace dialogues between the warring factions and to establish some behind-the-scenes channels haven’t apparently worked out as envisaged.
PC: BBC
- The whole world is under the grip of a severe shortage of energy supplies, with economies heating up all around. War has all the ingredients to spiral out of control, if not already, and that will only cause even more debilitating effects on the global community. In a sign of further escalation, Iran and Houthis are gearing up for US ground troops. That could be real bad news for the world, grappling to stay afloat. A month into the Iran war, three things strongly hint at a possible US ground invasion. First, American troop deployments are increasing. Report suggests Pentagon is drafting plans for weeks-long ops. These options, reportedly, include limited coastal raids and the seizure of strategic Iranian Islands, in the Strait of Hormuz, and Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf.
PC: CGTN
- Such moves would mark a huge bet on boots-on-the-ground engagement, a transition that, usually, means a deeper, more dangerous phase in wars. Of Course, this will also intensify global energy shocks and multiply casualties across all sides. Second, the IRGC has lowered the volunteer age for joining the war effort to just 12. The announcement is stark and symbolic, in terrifying ways. It signals Tehran’s expectation of a drawn-out confrontation and the possibility of a manpower shortage. Nations rarely widen recruitment pools, unless they anticipate attrition on a large scale. The message is clear: Iran is preparing for endurance, not just retaliation. Third, Houthis in Yemen entered the war over the weekend, on Tehran’s behalf.
PC: CSIS
- Would that include renewed attacks on Red Sea shipping? If that happens while Iran disrupts traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, consequences for global energy markets could be severe. Together, these waterways handle a massive share of the world’s oil flows. Experts have warned that oil price at or beyond $150 per barrel will deliver huge shockwaves through inflation and supply chain disruptions. Houthis appear to be signalling Washington: any ground operation risks triggering a wider economic confrontation. Securing Hormuz is a more plausible aim with the potential ground invasion. That’s something Gulf Arab states increasingly favour, after witnessing Iran’s disruptive leverage. These developments only indicate further destabilization around the world. Sad.
