M Santhananaban
This insane, illegal war, launched by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister, against Iran and Lebanon is no longer an assault on just those two countries.
It is an assault on humanity as a whole, and its repercussions are being felt in every part of this interconnected and interdependent world.
Three months in, segments of the US population itself have begun to endure extreme difficulties: rising food, fuel and fertiliser prices.
Most countries, especially in the developing world, are experiencing not just spiralling inflation but supply shortages, disruption and distress. Ordinary people are facing reduced incomes, restricted public services and rising unemployment.
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The deaths of innocent and displaced people in Iran and Lebanon, the disrupted and distressed lives, widespread inflation driven by oil, gas, transport and other living costs – all of this is now a grim daily reality.
Meanwhile, air travel costs have escalated sharply and tourism has virtually collapsed.
A leader without allies
A beleaguered Trump has few genuine allies but relies on more untruths to justify his actions.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth amplifies those untruths and continues putting a brave face on defending the indefensible. It is a deeply pathetic situation.
Trump’s divisive policies and provocations over the last 14 months show no sign of abating. Where there had been a semblance of conciliation and confidence, there is now distrust and deep concern about routine matters such as food and fuel supplies, sustainability, stability and security.
The world must respond
Trump must be removed through proper constitutional process as soon as possible. His continued presidency would only aggravate an already catastrophic situation. There has to be a wider and deeper consciousness of how precarious the world’s situation has become.
World leaders must start thinking of ways, within and beyond the UN, to address these challenges without the participation of the US, especially if the war against Iran is prolonged. That would set the world on a pragmatic path towards a post-Trump era.
The world cannot realistically return to what it was. It is the inevitable, unstoppable march of geopolitics – with the old templates giving way to new ones.
The war must end and peace must be restored.
Dato’ M Santhananaban is a former Malaysian ambassador with 45 years of public sector experience.
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