Trump, Israel and Iran

Article No. 37
18/January/2020

Donald John Trump is the 45th and current president of the United States. Trump was born and raised in the New York City borough of Queens, and received a bachelor's degree in economics from the Wharton School. He is an incredible man and unparalleled in his success stories in verities of areas. His career profile includes real-estate business, skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, golf courses, owned the Miss Universe and Miss USA beauty pageants, produced and hosted ‘The Apprentice’, a reality television show etc. then he entered in politics. The presidential election of Trump is an extremely significant event in the contemporary history of America as well as the world.

Israel is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea. The country contains geographically diverse features within its relatively small area. Israel's economic and technological centre is Tel Aviv, while its seat of government and proclaimed capital is Jerusalem, although the state's sovereignty over Jerusalem has only partial recognition. The United States of America moved its embassy to Jerusalem and recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Israel has evidence of the earliest migration of hominids out of Africa. Canaanite tribes are archaeologically attested since the Middle Bronze Age, while the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah emerged during the Iron Age. The Neo-Assyrian Empire destroyed Israel around 720 BC. Judah was later conquered by the Babylonian, Persian and Hellenistic empires and had existed as Jewish autonomous provinces.

Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran is a country in Western Asia. With 82 million inhabitants, Iran is the world's 18th most populous country. Its territory spans 1,648,195 km2 (636,372 sq mi), making it the second-largest country in the Middle East and the 17th largest in the world. Its central location in Eurasia and Western Asia, and its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, give it geostrategic importance. Tehran is the political and economic centre of Iran, and the largest and most populous city in Western Asia with more than 8.8 million residents in the city and 15 million in the larger metropolitan area.

Background

The fundamental reason for tension between Israel and Iran is a theological one, rather than any kind of geopolitics or economics. It is between the theology of Judea-Christian and Shia-Islamic (Iranian Islam). Iran is basically a Shia dominated country and Saudi Arabia is a Sunni dominant country. In Islam, mainly two branches i.e. Shia and Sunni. Shia holds that the Islamic prophet Muhammad designated Ali ibn Abi Talib as his successor and the Imam (leader) after him, most notably at the event of Ghadir Khumm, but was prevented from the caliphate as a result of the incident of Saqifah. This view primarily contrasts with that of Sunni Islam, whose adherents believe that Muhammad did not appoint a successor and consider Abu Bakr, who they claim was appointed caliph by a small group of Muslims at Saqifah, to be the first rightful caliph after the Prophet.

Here, it can clearly understand that two branches of Islam fighting each other based on theological differences of the successor of Muhammad. Thus, the world’s prominent countries divided basically into these three theological factions (Judea-Christian, Sunni Islam and Shia Islam). Practically and presently, Sunni factions of Islam and it dominated Saudi Arabia basically allied with Judea-Christian faction lead by the United States of America and Israel. But Shia factions of Islam and it dominated Iran basically allied with Communist countries like China and Russia. This is a basic outline of all countries on this planet preparing to the final battle of the world. India had a non-alignment policy since independence, but now it seems that more allied with USA lead factions.

The recent development in the Middle East or West Asia

Qasem Soleimani was killed in a targeted U.S. drone strike on 3 January 2020 in Baghdad, which was approved by President Donald Trump. Suleimani "was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region,” added a Pentagon statement, which called the strike a “decisive defensive” action aimed at deterring future Iranian attacks. It is highly likely that the United States possessed detailed intelligence about Suleimani’s travel plans, destination, and routes. This could be simply the result of superior electronic intelligence gathering and tracking the flight of his aircraft to Baghdad. Former U.S. commanders and intelligence officials said that the attack “specifically relied on classified ‘informants, electronic intercepts, reconnaissance aircraft and other surveillance.’”

The limited response of Iran

Iran’s Islamist government fired a series of ballistic missiles at military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops days after President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike that killed Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian general and recognized terrorist by America. Iran did not like to drag this situation to an escalation of a heavy war.

Economy and Peace stopped the escalation

Both America and Iran need peace and a stable economy. So both of them want to further escalation right now. But America’s declared aim to not develop Nuclear Weapon in Iran. The primary aim of America is to protect the interest of Israel in this region.

Geo-politics influenced by pressure groups

Geopolitics and international relations are heavily influenced by lobbying groups and pressure groups. AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) and CUFI (Christians United for Israel) are most prominent in this regards. AIPAC is a lobbying group that advocates pro-Israel policies to the Congress and Executive Branch of the United States. Besides, the organization has been called one of the most powerful lobbying groups in the United States. CUFI is the largest pro-Israel organization in the United States. “We stand with Israel because we believe in right over wrong, in good over evil, in liberty over tyranny. We stand with Israel today, tomorrow, and we always will.” -Mike Pence at the 2019 AIPAC Policy Conference. “President Donald Trump's commitment to Israel is the strongest in history... Standing with other countries like Israel that themselves stand for freedom – that’s what America is all about” - Secretary Pompeo at CUFI 2019 Summit in Washington, DC.

All these historical and contemporary development indicates that geopolitics is not just about international political boundaries or economic interests. AIPAC describes itself as a bipartisan organization, and the bills it lobbies for in Congress are always jointly sponsored by both a Democrat and Republican. The New York Times has described AIPAC as "a major force in shaping United States policy in the Middle East". It is something that deeply rooted in theological and historical rivalry and scriptural prophesy fulfilment.

Threat and Military Power

Anyone can threaten anyone in this world, but threat always makes tension among affected both parties. Mostly, threats may not materialize but cause to an escalation of different issues in involved parties. It is true for tension among people, groups or even countries. However, the tension between Israel and Iran is not a just threat between two nearby countries, but both are the tip of all countries of the world together in side by side as well as rally behind them. It makes this situation distinguish from all other military situations in historical battles.

By,

Nithin A F

Doing Post Graduation in Psychology

Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala.

Email : nithinaf@gmail.com

www.NithinAF.blogspot.com

18/January/2020