The launch of the American-Israeli joint war against Iran, which is illegal, unprovoked, and unwarranted, and coming at a time when an agreement was within reach, is the single most important development for the Muslim world and this region since 9/11.
This war of choice is now increasingly being seen by most Muslims as a ‘civilisational war’ initiated by Zionism, with the connivance of the United States of America, against yet another Muslim country.
There are three contexts to this war.
First, it reminds Muslims of the famous statement made by America’s General Wesley Clark, soon after 9/11, when he visited the Pentagon, he was told that the US had already made preparations and planning for wars against seven Muslim countries in five years.
This statement was made after he visited the Pentagon on the 20th of September 2001, naming Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Lebanon and Iran as the said countries. All of the countries named in that list have either been attacked or fragmented, thanks to America’s wars of choice. Iran was the only remaining country in that list of seven Muslim states.
Given this context, the fallout of this war will be felt across the region, especially in Pakistan, which shares a 900km border with Iran. What are the implications for Pakistan, and what should Islamabad do in this scenario?
The most important implication of this war is the Indo-Israel axis, which, God forbid, if Israel succeeds in regime change in Iran, would mean that the Israeli border has been moved to Taftan. And this would be destabilising for Pakistan, especially Balochistan, as well as Pakistan’s nuclear programme.
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The second aspect is that there are implications for Pakistan’s own relations in the region, especially with the US. So Pakistan now needs a strategic reset because there is the potential of a new challenge emerging for Pakistan, the country’s security and stability, given the realignments in the region.
The strategic reset that Pakistan needs will involve three areas. First, set our own house in order by giving a healing touch politically and by having an inclusive, unified approach to face the imminent grave challenge. This also means that giving relief to the opposition, releasing political prisoners, and settling the issue of Balochistan’s missing persons, which is one of the roots of disaffection in the strife-torn province. This also means reaching out to have closer coordination with the Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) government in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on counter-terrorism.
Secondly, Pakistan needs to formulate an effective counter-terror strategy, which is currently missing. A comprehensive national, whole-of-system strategy, that takes into account coordination amongst intelligence agencies, between the federal government and the provinces, especially the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to replace the current tactical security approach acting as a ‘fire brigade’ to douse the flames, while the terrorists are ahead of the state committing acts of terrorism at a time and target of their own choosing.
Third is to defuse the situation with Afghanistan as multiple fronts weaken Pakistan from within, more so given the Kabul-Delhi emerging nexus.
Finally, let’s be clear: it is no longer the same peaceful, tranquil Middle East. The entire region is on fire, with the war escalating to the Gulf, to Cyprus, with the Europeans jumping in, thanks to the US-Israeli aggression.
The Supreme Leader’s prediction turned out true: “If the US or Israel attacks Iran, it will become a regional war.” This is going to be an unwinnable war for both aggressors!
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed is a former minister for information and culture. He posts on X @Mushahid / Firest published @ Geo Tv
