My article titled “Are We Already in World War-2.5?” was published in Daily Times, Pakistan, on October 31, 2022. In that article, I argued that the world is already experiencing a form of global conflict, termed “World War-2.5”, infested with numerous ongoing wars and conflicts across various regions. I included the prolonged wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, and the Russia-Ukraine wars as evidence of this global state of warfare. I had suggested that these wars and conflicts, while not constituting a traditional world war, collectively impact nearly half of the world’s population, either directly or indirectly.
Next, my article titled “World War 2.5 Plus!” was published on June 16, 2025, in Daily Times, Pakistan, in which I argued that if the global stakeholders did not give much importance to my opinion at this time, we will soon reach a level of ‘WW 3.’
After the US President Trump announces successful air strikes at Iran’s three nuclear sites, Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, the situation is ripe for the ongoing Iran-Israel War to engulf the entire region in a mutually destructive war.
China, on the other hand, does not involve itself in the wars and conflicts of different states, either directly or indirectly
While the damage assessment to the struck sites will come a little later, the celebrations are already underway in the US and Israel because the respective leadership has claimed success and congratulated each other on their acts. However, two wrongs don’t make one right. The US Congress did not authorise the President to wage a war on Iran, and secondly, the attacks on nuclear facilities of any country and that too the one which is a NPT signatory and complies with IAEA protocols, were illegal.
President Trump, in his post-strike statement, has stated that ‘now, either there will be peace or tragedy for Iran.’ Likewise, the Israeli Prime Minister in his post-US attack statement has said that first we have power, then we can have peace.
These two statements reflect their definition of power, peace, and tragedy. Power, under the realist paradigm, refers to the ability to influence one’s adversary. Netanyahu needed power to influence Iran but failed to do so over the past few decades, and therefore, needed the US to get directly involved in his war on Iran. Trump, who I saw as a peacemaker between Russia and Ukraine and India and Pakistan, for which he has been nominated for the coveted Nobel Peace Prize, fell into the Israeli trap and ordered the strikes on Iran, that too without the prior approval of Congress. Senator Bernie Sanders has already spoken about it.
The situation now is even more complex and uncertain because Trump has not only struck Iranian nuclear facilities but also has warned that, for the time being, he is holding the attacks on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatullah Khamenei, who has already named his potential successor.
Back to Trump’s definition of peace and tragedy. The peace for Trump, as I understand, is that the country must be part of his international order, must invest in the US, and must not be anti-Israel under any circumstances. Trump will choose the leaders of different countries in various regions with whom he can deal directly within his comfort zone. They have to be pliant and dare not resist in fulfilling his desire and direction. Otherwise, there will be a tragedy for them and their states.
Perhaps, Israel and the US correctly chose the time to tame Iran, because the other stakeholders, particularly Russia, are busy in its war with Ukraine, which is already turning into a protracted military conflict primarily due to the all-out support of the US-led NATO to Ukraine.
China, on the other hand, does not involve itself in the wars and conflicts of different states, either directly or indirectly. Maybe China want the US to get involved in Iran’s war. Hence, it bleeds economically as it did in Afghanistan and Iraq, or China might see an opportunity to settle its claims over Taiwan while the US is busy elsewhere.
There is no hope for Iran from any regional or international organisations, such as the United Nations or the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). They can only offer condolences for the tragic deaths of the innocent civilians on either side.
I am afraid Iran will have to go alone on its path to preserve its territorial integrity, sovereignty, regime, and perhaps its civilisation. However, suppose Iran fails in its efforts due to a lack of potent capability or the absence of requisite international support. In that case, it will become a new norm for regional hegemons to take action against any other opponent who is not compliant with their form of international order.
It pains me to write that humanity faces the challenge of its survival and sustainability due to the madness of a handful of insane leaders across the globe. May Allah forgive and protect humankind regardless of race and religion, Ameen.
The writer of this article has authored three international books: “Nuclear Deterrence and Conflict Management Between India and Pakistan” “South Asia Needs Hybrid Peace” and “Understanding Sun Tzu and the Art of Hybrid War.”