By Imran Kamyana, published in Asian Marxist Review, A Marxist Perspective of Asia & Beyond
It has now been a month since the war of aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran began. Iran’s retaliatory actions against Israel and the Gulf states have transformed it into a regional war. However, when viewed in terms of its global repercussions and the indirect involvement of other international and regional powers, it is far more than merely a regional conflict. It has already produced profound and lasting transformations in the Middle East and has shaken the already fragile global economy to its foundations.
Events are unfolding at a rapid pace, watched by the entire world with bated breath. During this period, Donald Trump has repeatedly announced the imminent end of the war. In reality, there is intense pressure on Trump—both within the United States and internationally—to bring this madness to an end. At the same time, through such statements, he is also attempting to stabilize the continuously declining global markets (while simultaneously profiting handsomely from their volatility alongside his clique). Yet the nature and general trajectory of events point toward an escalation in the intensity of mutual attacks. Oil and gas facilities, water and electricity infrastructure, and even highly sensitive nuclear installations are now being targeted. Indeed, the situation has reached the point where even universities are coming under attack.
In this regard, Israel’s role has been particularly destructive and destabilizing. In effect, it has the United States acting at its behest, and has adopted a pattern of further provocation to eliminate even the slightest possibility of de-escalation. In response, Iran is compelled to retaliate in a similar manner—targeting sensitive installations and infrastructure in Israel and the Gulf states. This, in turn, establishes new precedents, further intensifying the scale and severity of the conflict.
At the time of writing, reports are circulating about efforts toward negotiations and a ceasefire with the mediation of Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey. However, the situation is highly complex and unlikely to be resolved easily. Recently, the Houthis have begun launching missile attacks on Israel, adding yet another dimension to the conflict. In what follows, various aspects of recent developments and the current situation are examined. This is essentially a continuation of the analysis and framework presented at the onset of the war, through which it becomes possible—at least to some extent—to anticipate the outcomes and future trajectory of this imperialist onslaught.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.