By Rehman Asif
The hazy and smoky environment of the world has become more dark and murky after the assassination of Iran’s Elite Quds Force Chief Gen QassemSoleimaniwho was killed in a US air strike in Baghdad on Trump’s orders.A being, who was considered to be the second powerful man in Islamic Republic.It has always been the fondness of US to be in air all the time throughout the world by its dialogues, outbreaks, actions, attacks etc.
The world has reacted to the incident in multiple dimensions. This unprecedented development has inflated and aggravated the situation and tension between Iran and USA and soared to the brink of war. It seems as the march towards war has been started. The Trump Administration continued to shield the air strike, irrespective of the fact that thousands of people around the globe are protesting against the inhumane killing labeling it unnecessary.
It is not a new contest rather it has been started earlier and many proxy battles have been fought between the two, involving militia and other armies. But this time the situation is intensified due to the direct target killing of Solemani which is followed by strong threats of retaliation and condemnations which is uprising the glaring chances of undeviatingconflict not only between the two nations but alsoin the whole region.
Murphy, a Democrat, said while Soleimani was “an enemy of the United States,” the killing could put more Americans at risk and an extremely dangerous and foolish escalation. One reason we don’t generally (assassinate) foreign political officials is the belief that such action will get more, not less, Americans killed. That should be our real, pressing and grave worry tonight.”
Iran is talking very boldly about targeting certain USA assets as revenge for overriding the world of their leader who had fought many wars and killed many Americans tooin his lifetime.The situation got more heightened when US President Donald Trump threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites “very hard” if Iran attacks Americans or U.S. assets after a drone strike. A proverb defines well the Trump policy “Offence is the best defence”. As USA wants no more threats in response.The strike has raised the spectra of wider conflict in the Middle East.
It seems that USA intended to start off the decade by disseminating a message to the Iranians and defining who would be calling the shots in the future eventualities between the countries. To the extent, the killing of Chief of Al Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden and allies is a different case but Iran cannot be labelled as a terrorist country. To declare a war on Terror can create perplexities in the life.
Apparently it seems that war isn’t the immediate threat between the two countries but in the aftermath, war drums continue to be beaten because the anguish and resentment of people in Iran is as it is on hike which shall foster more energies to escalate conflict towards disastrous encounter. The attack of USA is not justified as it has never been under constant attacks by Iran. However, the killing of General Soleimani has grounded for the perilous conflict. It is pertinent to mention that this conflict shall not be limited to the borders of Iran, Iraq but shall spread like wildfire which swallow the entire region. So the peace of Iran is not on stake rather all the allied countries are on the target too and remain at the risk of being enmeshed in a conflict which may follow up till many generations.
The stance of Pakistan Army is very clear as DG ISPR articulated being military spokesperson and quoted Imran Khan and COAS, “Pakistan is on the side of Peace. We will not allow our soil to be used against anyone”. It was emphasized that“the need for maximum restraint and constructive engagement by all concerned to de-escalate the situation in broader interest of peace and stability”.
Let’s the better sense prevails and both nations exercise cautiousness before taking any steps; lethal to war. The efforts must be put forward by the USA to stop the march towards war and defuse the tension and conflict rather than threatening Iran. A pacific and philanthropic step forward is necessitated by USA (if its only purpose is peace) to extinguish the fire of conflict like a mature leader. It is the altogether responsibility of all the neighboring countries including Pakistan to step forward and play their mutual role to neutralize the situation.
