IRAN and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire, bringing an end to the twelve-day war between the two countries.
Despite its military might, including nuclear capabilities and support from the United States, the Zionist State of Israel ultimately agreed to the ceasefire. Iran responded positively. This raises an important question: What steps should Iran and the international community take to ensure its internal and external security in the future? No doubt Iran solely responded Israeli aggression successfully. It was for the first time in the history of mankind that non-nuclear country responded to attacks of two nuclear countries, the US and Israel. Iran is signatory to Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has accepted Inspection of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on its nuclear installations. The Agency said that it did not find any uranium enrichment by Iran for developing nuclear arms. The both aggressors attacked Iran on the pretext that it is close to acquire capacity of nuclear arms. IAEA held the US attacks on Iranian nuclear installations against the law.
The ceasefire between the two countries has saved Netanyahu Government from complete wrath of the of Israel masses. Simultaneously, Iran and the world have found opportunities to review the present structure for deterring war and strengthening security. Iran’s main reliance to face attacks of Israel and respond was on the missiles and drones. The Iranian Air Force was not seen on the stage of war whereas the US and Israel used warplanes. Though sanctions have been imposed on Iran but it will have to strengthen and upgrade its Air Force.
The nature and modes of war fare are changed due to technological development. Pakistan efficiently used E-technology against India in May of this year by hacking important websites and jamming its defence and attack potential. This cyber warfare is key to modern warfare techniques. Iran must think on developing such capacity. Israel may have advanced cyber technology but knowledge is not property of anyone and is open to all.
Iran has entered in cooperation with India on Chabahar seaport. India uses this cooperation for its illicit designs. RAW has made inroad in Iran. It facilitated Mossad, Israeli intelligence agency, in war against Iran. Kulbhushan Jadhav, RAW agent, was operating in Iran and came to Pakistan many times from there. According to one report Iranian Government captured Mossad agents along with RAW. This 2 Is (Iran and Israel) network deprived Iran from its important nuclear scientists and prominent generals. Iran must look at this corner to thwart any such mishap in future.
Indian intelligence agents’ inroad in Iran may push Iran to develop cooperation with Pakistan. Gwadar and Chabahar seaports may be given status of sister seaports. It may convince China to extend its cooperation to these countries in this regard. It will pave the way for the exclusion of India and its influence from the area. Though Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) has not played any pivotal role in expressing unity against threat to its member state, however, its importance still persists.
The Organisation must restructure it. Raising its military force on the lines of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is key to such restructuring. Israeli attack supported by the United States has left International Law meaning less. Before Israel-Iran war, Zionist State violated the resolutions of the United Nations on its cruelties in Gaza, refused to accept decision of International Court of Justice and turned deaf ear to protest held in nook and corner of the world including Israeli people in support of the Palestinians. International actors must sit together and think for making effective arrangements for ensuring compliance of international law. The United Nations must not remain merely a platform for speeches and statements; it must evolve into a truly effective international organization. Although reforms are under discussion, meaningful restructuring is essential. The UN should be headquartered on a neutral territory under its own control to ensure impartiality. Furthermore, it must be granted financial autonomy. A robust mechanism must also be developed to enforce UN Security Council resolutions, even in the face of veto power.
The democratic system of governance has given birth to extremist governments in the US, India and Israel. The US President attacked Iranian nuclear installations without approval of the Congress. Israeli people elected Netanyahu government. When it started committing barbarities in Gaza, Israeli people staged protest against it. The voters failed to restrain their elected representatives from such genocidal steps. Same position is in India where minorities are not safe under Modi Government. India is called the largest democracy in the world. Modi’s agents killed Sikh leader in Canada and violated its sovereignty but no action was taken against him. The political scientists must think how to save democracy from electing extremist regimes. The world must not be divided on the basis of caste and creed. Aggressor must not be supported and patronized at any cost. It may make room for peace to take smooth breath for welfare and prosperity of the global community.
—The writer is contributing columnist. based in Karachi.
(rahmank28@yahoo.com)
