The blue war |
THE ongoing war in West Asia is yet another manifestation of the breakdown of the world order. The first blow to this rules-based world order had come from its own architect — the United States of America, when it invaded Iraq in 2003 pre-emptively and illegally, setting a precedent that has since been repeated. The war launched by the US and Israel against Iran on Feb 28 was also unilateral, illegal and without clearly defined goals. US President Donald Trump has offered varying reasons: to change the Iranian regime, decimate its nuclear capability, or fragment the country. Employing their military dominance, the US and Israel have bombed tens of thousands of targets in Iran, hoping the regime would fall. It did not.
Iran responded by first eliminating US air defence systems, using cheaper versions of its drones, and then firing more lethal missiles. The most impactful Iranian manoeuvre, however, came in the waters of the Persian Gulf, when it blocked the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow passage provides for 20 per cent of global oil and gas flows. The impact on oil and gas prices was immediate and steep, despite the release of strategic reserves by members of the International Energy Agency. The US is keen to lift........