Trump and Iran – may better sense prevail

Jun 24, 2019 Editorial

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United States President Donald Trump is proving on a daily basis that we cannot truly imagine what an unstable world we live in. It is quite disconcerting that the “leader of the free world” is a shameless freewheeler. His actions are confusing to most, but the keen are able to discern that there is a calculated selfishness to the continued uneducated charade.
The uncomfortable situation that has evolved from Trump’s uninformed perception of Iran’s non-compliance with the demands related to that country’s efforts to obtain nuclear weapons is a classic case of how dangerous things have become – an American President playing Russian Roulette with a deadly serious issue. For that matter, so many serious issues.
Plenty Twitter talk. Much machismo. Mainly swagger and squeeze. Minorities. Women. Immigrants. Partners. Enemies. The dangerously, but carefully, challenged withdrawing into a haze of “accidental” and “mistake” and approving strikes against Iran and then retreating in defiant arm-flailing. Welcome to Mr. Compassionate turned Mr. Moderate concerned about the proportionate. Civilian casualties? Since when?
Aside from uncharacteristic wobbling to an unknown place, it is, all things considered, the best of all possible outcomes. The intemperate often breeds madness. And where would that stop? Who can stop once started when the cascades of potential horrors are never more within reach?
It is a good and bad place, this standing down; this rare unsteadiness towards slashing from the mouth, and tangling feet, while mangling broader visions and so many other arresting priorities. It is good because reason and peace and rapprochement all have opportunities to operate in the space allowed; in the willingness to take one on the chin before a guarded, involuntarily involved (in some corners) world. There is enough involved and at stake in that region. There is much more being considered beyond -ideologically, economically, militarily are some – in the wider world to involve all, and leave few, if any untouched. These things do have a way of escalating far beyond initial calculations and original intents.
Twitter aimed at adversaries is effortless and painless; no boomerang effect. On the other hand, pointing and hurling Tomahawks and Tridents is another story: those can blow the lid of whatever restraints have bottled up reciprocal frustrations and angers building for decades. There are many animosities seeking the release of any savaging outlet. It is a good thing to celebrate, if only for the time being; and the silence and pause in this troubling wilderness of emptiness that reigns ominously between first rhetorical belligerents, and now the steel of a gauntlet hurled in the teeth of the Furies.
There is seriousness on one side. An always powerful martyrdom syndrome resident down through the centuries, as if goading the gods themselves. In some sense, there is itching for a close quarter confrontation, the odds are in favour. Well, at least that is the calculation of extremists.
However shrugged off, regardless of superficial denials, there is something apocalyptic surging in what may start out small, and take wings, then feet, and with all the blood and flowers (of youth, of treasure, of present and future) sacrificed for what could be avoided.
Avoided it was, if only for the moment. No confidence on how enduring. Still, there is that good news. But it comes at a price. Loss of face. Loss of leadership. Loss of pedestal and any residual respect. The testosterone of Twitter to be demeaned as so much impotence, and bluster lacking in muscle or will. It might be unrecoverable.
This is not the regular adoring crowd; the multitudes of swooning who urge throwing caution to the winds and lashing back through the retaliatory in blood rush and adrenaline surges. Gut check. Reality check. Checkmate of a world made small and mutually hostile by the weaponised state of modern existence. Lest anyone forget, especially the reckless and uninformed, it is a global nuclear state. Almost; yet that is enough. There are those others watching, maybe even gloating: comeuppance. Overdue. Friends and allies wonder: appeasement? what next?
Adversaries sense hollowness; they understand how these stand downs and comedowns matter on the ruthless world stage: one weakness and the budding alpha males are ready to pounce. They are ready. Smell weakness, even the vulnerability of being backed into a corner with hands tied (at least one) by circumstances. By this uncharacteristic first sidestep of pausing, listening. Guyanese leaders should, too.

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