Daily Times

We thought that Donald Trump has had his share of trigger-happy moments after the assassination of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard’s commander Qassem Suleimani in an aerial raid on his convoy in Baghdad.A lullwas expected after the USA crossed a red line.Contrary to the expected, this time Trump’s tantrum continues unabated, and it seems that this line of action would ensue until the black clouds of impeachment hovering over his head are not dissipated.

The historical correlation of the move with Bill Clinton’s air strike in Iraq just before his impeachment also suggests that such tricks are always up the sleeves of heads of states when they find themselves in a blind alley. The gratuitous move has changed the dynamics of Middle Eastern politics for worse and may trigger a conflict that will engulf the entire region in a downward spiral. The Iranian top brass, from Supreme Leader Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei to President Hassan Rouhani, has vowed to avenge the death of theircommander who played a pivotal role in securing Iran’s interests in the region.

However, after Iran’s response, Trump with his series of vitriolic tweets has further infuriated the Iranian leadership; he intends to have an upper hand in escalation.The language used in the tweets reek of haughtiness. Trump is openly statingto target 52 sites in Iran including cultural sites. Hurling threats in such an overt manner has not been witnessed even during the ColdWar by an aggressive president such as Ronald Regan.

The gratuitous move has changed the dynamics of Middle Eastern politics for worse and may trigger a conflict that will engulf the entire region in a downward spiral

It is pretty evident that Trump has carried over this whimsical attitude from his business empire where people where employed were by him and he could hire or fire anyone without deliberation. The advisors and secretaries who tried to convince him thata completely different approach to handle international issues was required were sent packing. The game of musical chairs that started with supplanting people around him is about to end with his own impeachment, and that has extremely exasperated him.

To make matters worse, Barack Obama’s legacy has been haunting Trump since day one, and he wants to undo initiatives taken by him, whether it be the Obama Care or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action by P5+1. Trump will leave no stone unturned to prove that he possesses acumen that his predecessor lacked. This attack, in particular, has been done to substantiate that unlike Obama’s retreat from attacking Syria after the alleged use of chemical weapons, Trump means business, and he will go after a threat to American interests anywhere at any time.

Boris Johnson has also supported Trump’s unilateral action.It is hoped that Johnson will not apologise the way Tony Blair did for his miscalculation pertaining Weapons of Mass Destruction, which led to the 2003 invasion of on Iraq.

The turmoil that is brewing has once again put Pakistan in a precarious situation; once again, we have been pulled in the eye of the storm

The turmoil that is brewing has once again put Pakistan in a precarious situation; once again, we have been pulled in the eye of the storm. The phone call by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to COAS Qamar JavedBajwa and the tweet that apprised us about the discussion only presented a partial picture and what the US wants. It did not broach upon General Bajwa’s response, and it is not difficult to infer that the COAS did not see eye to eye with Pompeo.

As Pakistan is the sole nuclear power among Muslim countries, it is looked upon by the parties involved in this conflict and is expected to align itself with either side. Saudi Arabia would wish that Pakistan stands with Saudi interests, and the USA being on KSA’s back will try to put a considerable amount of pressure on Pakistan to isolate Iran.

On the other side of the spectrum, Turkey and Iran would expect Pakistan to condemn the US action. Pakistan cannot turn its back on the Gulf Cooperation Council states as Pakistani diaspora working in these states can face hardships.It is important to note that Turkey and Iran have always supported Pakistan on Kashmir issue.

The timing of resuming the International Military Education and Training for Pakistan by Trump has also cast aspersions on the intentions of the USA. Pakistan is already a battle-hardened military and should not fall into any such trivial attraction in these truculent times. The pecuniary benefits and offers would soon entail but we should learn from our past experiences in Afghanistan that such benefits create more security issues for Pakistan in the longer run instead of solving the issues.

With an economy that is on the brink of collapse and the mounting pressure on the government by the public, it would not be an easy choice for the government to make; gettinglured into anyoption of appeasement to a single party would have its own set of repercussions.The incumbent government has a reputation for procrastinating things until the favourable time-window elapses.

Meanwhile, it is high time that the US be reminded of the unfulfilled promises. The Foreign Office ought to bring the issue of Kashmir before the USA.It must, however, be ensured that the price of brokering any deal would not impact our ties with Iran to an extent where we end up having acrimonious terms with her.

The civilian and military leadership are on a precipice, as their decisions would set the course of this nation for generations to come. What they do now would echo in the future.It may be remembered that taking any sides would also beget internal challenges for Pakistan and deteriorate the law and order situation in the country. Large chunks of population have different religious and cultural affiliations, and there are militant wings covertly operating on propagating the agendas of various groups for their supremacy.

In order to circumvent these quagmires, it is pertinent for Pakistan to improvise a comprehensive policy. The foreign minister needs to embark on a diplomacy tour and try to abate the warlike situation thatmay jeopardisethe peace of the world. He should engage European powers to play their role and convince Trump that decisions regarding international issues are not subjected to tantrums and blatant aggression.

The writer is a freelance columnist