M Santhananaban
Iran will now not offer “the slightest compromise, retreat or leniency” in the next round of talks with the United States. That is perfectly predictable.
Tehran has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US naval blockade – a blunt and dangerous dimension of the Trump administration’s shortsighted foreign policy, built on an amalgam of aggression, arrogance and wilful irrationality.
There is no other way to describe Trump’s second term in office. It has been erratic, ruthless and exploitative.
A surreal situation persists in Washington DC, with a leader who has surrounded himself with soulless, spineless sycophants submissive to the point of slavish obedience.
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Notable traditional allies of the US have been marginalised and embittered.
Meanwhile, informal allies have drifted from their known positions to embrace policies supportive or sympathetic to Israel – accommodation that goes against the basic principles of diplomacy, decency and dignity.
Countries friendly to both the US and Israel will have to review their positions sooner rather than later, aligning with the stricter standards upheld by Canada, China, France, Russia and South Africa.
Unfortunately, the UN and other international organisations have been rendered irrelevant.
Restoring the standard of conduct and confidence that prevailed before 28 February will require enormous effort, confidence-building, patience, trust and time.
The US has tolerated President Donald Trump’s irrational belligerence for too long – and that is unpardonable.
The harm done to the global economy, particularly to poorer countries, is deep and difficult to reverse and may prove durable.
There is no progress on peace in West Asia.
The US administration must back down – or this tense, untenable situation will only continue to escalate.
M Santhanaban is a former Malaysian ambassador with 45 years of public sector experience
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