The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (NIV, Isaiah 2:3-4)
For those who do not subscribe to biblical doctrine Bob Marley chanted it best – “Check out the real situation, Nation war against nation, Where did it all begin, when will it end, Well it seems like total destruction,The only solution, And there ain’t no use, No one can stop them now .”
After the invasion of Libya by a few first world countries the question which many immediately asked was – who will be next? Would it be North Korea? Would it be Iran? It seems the gun sight is now unerringly pointed at Iran.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a visit last week to the USA asserted Israel’s right to be ‘the master of its fate’. He sent a strong message to Iran and the world that Israel is running out of patience with Iran and is actively considering a military strike. Israel and its greatest ally USA believe Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear warheads because of its public declaration to obliterate Israel from the face of the earth. The question raised by the scenario playing out: does Iran, a sovereign country, have the right to manage its affairs free from external intervention? Bear in mind Israel’s aggressive posture is unfolding against the imposition of international sanctions.
It is ironic that Israel owes its military might to the USA – billions of dollars in military aid – yet Prime Minister Netanyahu would defy the US by threatening to strike Iran. Perhaps he knows the powerful American Israel Public Affairs lobby group is in his camp. If Netanyahu continues to stoke the conflict it will have implications for the world, especially small island states like Barbados. Some believe Netanyahu has heightened the rhetoric to steer domestic conversation away from the woes of the Israeli economy. Although the US would be forced to support Israel should it strike Iran, it is a move Obama would not like with the US economy showing moderate bounce – three consecutive months of job growth of over two hundred thousand.
We should all accept that as long as Israel exist there will be conflict in the ME. It therefore brings into focus the need to wean Barbados from its heavy dependence on imported food and fuel.
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