Global Horizons
In this issue, the author opens by observing that the US-Israel attack on Iran launched on February 28 to bring about regime change reflects the contempt with which the Trump administration looks upon the multilateral system based on the UN Charter and international law. Unlike in past wars unleashed by the US in this century, there was no attempt at seeking legitimacy for US actions. Russia, China and Europe simply stood by, while the nations of the Global South saw a re-run of the past unfold.
Iran’s retaliatory attacks across the Gulf states only alienated its neighbours and vitiated international sympathy. The Gulf region is a vitally important global hub, and India’s interests were severely impacted by these developments.
The US appears to be pursuing a game plan to re-establish complete control over the Gulf region and its energy resources, but outcomes will depend on how and when the US-Israel war against Iran ends.
Meanwhile, in Europe, the annual Munich Security Conference saw further soul searching among Western allies regarding the state of their alliance, and conference documents reflected the depth of European angst about “wrecking ball politics” which were destroying the post-1945 world order and replacing principled cooperation and universal norms by transactional deals and regions shaped by hegemons. A sense of insecurity was seen to be growing as a result, from Europe to the Indo-Pacific.
In the meanwhile, the war in Ukraine continued with unrelenting Russian attacks, and the process of finding a peace deal was only likely to be delayed by the US-led war on Iran.
President Trump convened the first meeting of his “Board of Peace”, adopting decisions on development and stabilisation plans for Gaza, undercutting the core functions of the UN itself.
The month also saw the expiration of the New Start Treaty on February 5, marking a watershed that portends uncertainty and the danger of proliferation from which India will not be immune.
For Indian diplomacy, this was a month of intense activity and significant initiatives, from incoming and outgoing high-level visits to a successful AI Impact Summit. Of particular note were the incoming visits of the Presidents of France and Brazil, and PM’s visits to Malaysia and Israel.
In conclusion, the author observes that the challenges posed by the illegal US-Israel war against Iran will be onerous and require coordinated and comprehensive responses.
To read this issue, please click Global Horizons, Vol. IV, Issue 2.
