US-Iran tensions
The tension between the US and Iran are increasing. Trump is a loose cannon. Iran is strong enough, perhaps, to be defiant. The greater danger, however, is the unseen. The forces behind the scenes; on the one had, those manipulating Trump; on the other, those emboldening Iran. On the surface, it looks like posturing. The reality, however, is much more dangerous.
Doing as you are told...
But there is another danger in all this; and a serious one at that! The US, Trump recently declared, is not looking for war with Iran. Perhaps it isn't. After all, it may rather bring Iran to its knees more cheaply. Nevertheless, by pulling out of the Iran Nuclear Deal and imposing painful sanctions on Iran, the US is certainly pursuing hostile acts.
The bizarre thing about these sanctions is that through them the US is not only bullying Iran. It is bullying all other nations too, threatening retaliation if they trade with Iran. This, despite the fact that many of these countries had signed a treaty with Iran; a treaty the US was also party to. Yet what is it that gives the US this divine right to tell other countries what to do? Sadly, it is the greed of those countries, that would rather be dictated to by a third party than risk losing trade deals.
Trade before integrity and freedom
This is the same greed that keeps countries trading with Saudi Arabia despite the atrocities in Yemen, the abuse of human rights and the Khashoggi murder. But there is something unique about this situation that sets a modern precedent. Namely that foreign policy will become the domain of a few powerful nations.
This is unacceptable and it is about time sovereign states put integrity and independence before profit. If not, before we know it we will be victims to a new form of colonisation. And though we may end up wondering how we got into that situation, the writing is clearly on the wall now. Wake up, Mammon is coming to get you!
UN-aligned: working for a freer and fairer world.
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