As expected, the 2024 elections could bring historical embarrassment to a clever and cautious nation—one that avoided direct involvement in the First World War but profited handsomely through lend-lease agreements by supplying military hardware to warring countries.
The same strategy was repeated during the Second World War until Japanese Kamikaze pilots unexpectedly destroyed US warships in suicide missions.
Field Marshal MacArthur, caught off guard, lost his composure—similar to how Donald Trump appeared when signing the surrender agreement with Japan’s revered emperor. In a symbolic gesture, MacArthur rode the emperor’s white stallion while the emperor himself was made to sit in a small car. This imagery reflects the mindset of America’s war-mongering leadership, in contrast to its people, who remain peace-loving and uphold the ideals of human dignity and liberty.
The gambles of Donald Trump were evident in his post-election selection of team members. He abandoned his frontman against Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky, in an embarrassing surrender aimed solely at protecting US interests after a strategic failure against Russia’s superior war planning. In Gaza, his focus was on project development to serve personal financial interests. He backed Netanyahu’s brutal campaign to destroy Gaza, and now Israel continues to reject ceasefire proposals while committing genocide against innocent civilians.
While the US was engaged in talks under the auspices of the IAEA in Muscat, Oman—where agency reports clearly stated that Iran’s enrichment program did not pose an immediate threat and would take three more years to reach critical capability—Israel was prompted to launch a drone attack on Iran just before the fourth round of negotiations. Iran responded appropriately, damaging Israeli air defence systems. In a frenzy to protect his poodle Netanyahu, Trump bypassed Congressional approval and ordered B2 bombers from Diego Garcia to strike three nuclear sites in Iran—but failed. Had those sites been damaged, the disaster could have rivaled the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown, which left Europe suffering from radiation for years.
In response, Iran launched attacks on US bases and its parliament approved the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump began to panic, and like any defeated leader desperate for face-saving, he immediately urged Israel to halt all hostilities and announce a ceasefire with Iran. Just before his departure to attend the NATO summit, Trump resorted to using foul language. It is now time for the US Congress to clip his war powers and send him for a mental health evaluation—for the sake of humanity and world peace.
—The writer is Convener, Empower Pakistan, Karachi.
(balti1551@gmail.com)
