The World Is Wallowing!

The World is wallowing! Wallowing in what, I am not sure, but there might be stormy times ahead as US President Donald Trump, decides whether to enter the war against Iran. The US had been negotiating with Iran in an effort to prevent Iran’s development of Nuclear weapons.

An agreement, left by Obama that could have been worked on was thrown aside by Trump in his first term. Biden simply went along with Trump’s approach. Now things might be getting out of hand. National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, suggested to law makers recently that “US Spy agencies did not believe Iran was building a nuclear weapon.” Trump responded “I don’t care what she said… I think they were very close to having it.” Do we not remember that the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 was based on what turned out to be false, that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. Israel uses Trump’s argument to launch a war against Iran, claiming that it was acting in self-defence. Trump who was aware of the planned Israeli attack, sanctioned it even though a US delegation was to continue in a matter of two days, negotiations which had started already.

Unfortunately, we have as head of the most powerful economic and military country in the world, a man called Donald Trump, who takes pleasure in the power he holds and his ability to dictate to most of the world. On a daily basis he issues dictates, many of which the courts have on hold. Others he withdraws after sizing up the opposition they generate. A good example of this is his pause on the expulsion of immigrants who had been working on American farms, without whom US agriculture would be severely damaged. What is frightening is that he appears not to be driven by any particular ideology, although racism and strong man tactics lie behind his rantings and actions. Behind this too is the quest for wealth for himself and his family, but there must be more to it. The funny thing, if I can call it that, is that no one knows what next to expect. He has recently added a number of countries to his list of those facing visa restrictions and visits to the US. Included are four Caribbean countries. We assume that it has to do with the CBI programme but Grenada which has a CBI programme is not on the list. There are concerns about these restrictions especially with part of the FIFA World Cup due to be held in the US. Even the 2028 Olympics might not be safe since there is always the possibility that Trump will bypass the Constitution and seek another term. This obviously sounds like a joke but with a Congress controlled by Republicans who are his lap dogs, one can never tell.

Although disappointed with Trump’s election I looked forward to seeing how Americans would respond. I have been heartened over the past week or two with the way Americans responded in the many “NO KING” rallies across the country. As summer emerges from its spring break, we might, hopefully, have many more rallies defying Trump. Those held so far were peaceful but one expects that Republican lawmakers who worship their Boss will begin to feel the heat as their supporters join others in protesting many of the unpopular measures introduced by Trump. What happened in Los Angeles was simply astounding; Trump sending in the National Guards without the approval of the California governor.

At this time the focus has shifted to the Middle East and the actions of Israel with the approval of the American president. Trump claims not to have made a final decision on entering the war, partnering with Israel. This is more rhetoric than anything else. The US has been assisting with deflecting whatever missiles/drones Iran has launched against Israel. As the war goes on Israel will depend even more on the US replacing its weapons and on its assistance with its ‘bunker busters’ to get to some of Iran’s sites. There is so much hypocrisy all around. The G7’s statement that Israel has a right to defend itself. The country that launched the first strike is now creating a scenario where it claims to be acting in self-defence. Israel has a right to defend itself. Iran does apparently not have that right. But the hypocrisy goes on. Why must Israel have nuclear weapons but not Iran? Where will Israel go next in its campaign of destruction that started in Gaza? The world has stood by and allowed Gaza to be destroyed. Is it that Israel could do anything it wants? It has played Biden and Trump. We must not forget Biden’s hug of Netanyahu when he had begun his invasion of Gaza. America has already been moving its ships into the Middle East; certainly not to secure peace. Israel and the US appear to want regime change in Iran. For the benefit of the world as a whole what is most desperately needed is regime change in the US! Is there no concern for the impact the tensions and war in the Middle East will have on the economy? Which other countries might be drawn into this conflict? Could it get out of hand? We have to stay tuned!

• Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian