Now that the war waged against Iran by the United States and Israel has entered its 11th day at the time of writing, grave questions are understandably being raised about the security of the world. Saner and more adroit minds are beginning to see the emergence of situations that could lead to a third world war.

It is clear that US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu had been planning this war. Together they attacked Iran to destroy that nation’s ability to produce nuclear weapons, which would lead to further instability in the Middle East, if not the world. Iran’s military was severely degraded, but no one is really sure whether Iran did not still possess the ability to enrich uranium and eventually build atomic bombs.

This attack on Iran showed the economic and military vulnerabilities of Iran which, no doubt, played a role in Israel and the United States thinking they could wage a broader war. This time it would not only be about preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, it would also be about regime change.

The ambition of Trump and Netanyahu in this regard was emboldened by the Iranian Government’s foolish and brutal suppression of protests by the Iranian people which resulted in the death of thousands of citizens. This gave Trump the pretext he needed to climb the high moral ground in defending Iranian citizens. In this war he counted on their support to topple the regime. This has not happened to date.

Like Russian President Vladimir Putin in his fateful and arrogant invasion of Ukraine, Trump and Netanyahu have had the rude awakening that Iran is not a pushover. What should have taken about a week is well into its second week without any sign of abating. In fact, other countries are being pulled in, such as France and the United Kingdom. While they are not taking sides in the war yet, deploying military equipment and personnel to the region to defend and protect their commercial interests is a sure sign that anything could go wrong. What keeps the fire of wars burning are unintended consequences which draw responses, whether intended or unintended. This then can blow out into full conflagration which, in the present situation, can lead to further devastating consequences.

Despite all the protestations of Trump and his Administration, the sad truth is that this war never had to happen. The Iranians had shown signs that they were willing to negotiate, and some move in this direction had been initiated. But patience is not a virtue among those who are driven by hubris. The “pride that blinds”, that leads to stupid actions, that defy common sense is deeply rooted in political leadership which believes that might is right and has great confidence in its own invincibility. This is especially so when backed with the military resources that Israel and the United States possess.

But winning a war is not just about might or brute force, it is about being smart and strategic. And this is where Trump and his abettors have gone wrong. They never solicited or waited on the assent of the American people to wage the war. In fact, polls indicate that an overwhelming majority of Americans are against this war, many among Trump’s loyalists in the MAGA camp. People know instinctively what Trump ought to: If you wage a war in the Middle East, immediately you can expect a spike in the price of oil, especially when you attack a major producer like Iran.

Needles to say, the price of oil went over the dreaded US$100 benchmark and is still hovering in that region. Going back to the 1970s oil embargo under the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the world knows the horrors of any instability in the Middle East when it comes to energy. Immediately, prices on almost everything go through the roof. This has already begun to happen and will pick up speed the longer the war continues. Add to this the putative tariff regime that was mercifully shot down by the Supreme Court and you realise that you are dealing with a potential inflation tsunami of gargantuan proportions.

Meanwhile, in America, the affordability crisis marches on. Millions of people cannot afford health care as the Affordable Care Act has been gutted to enable a big tax break to the rich, many of whom do not need it nor deserve it.

The emerging economic crisis of affordability in every segment of the country will get worse, yet billions are being spent on wars that never had to happen, on unforced errors driven by hubris that will hurt the country badly. The entire world is in jeopardy from this reckless adventurism in the Middle East. Is there any balm in Gilead, Netanyahu? Trump?

Dr Raulston Nembhard is a priest, social commentator, and author of the books Finding Peace in the Midst of Life’s Storms; Your Self-esteem Guide to a Better Life; and Beyond Petulance: Republican Politics and the Future of America. He hosts a podcast — Mango Tree Dialogues — on his YouTube channel. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or stead6655@aol.com

Benjamin Netanyahu (AP Photo)

The war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran spread across the Middle East on March 2 with Lebanon’s Hezbollah entering the fray and a British air base in Cyprus targeted. (Photo: AFP)

Raulston Nembhard