Amidst the Israel-Iran conflict, veiled threats and strategic maneuvers replaced outright war. Despite roaring rhetoric from the US, Israel, and Iran, actions were tempered, with Iran even providing advance notice of an attack. This unusual approach to conflict raises questions about the true intentions and capabilities of the involved parties, leaving the region in a precarious state of calm.Necessity can turn even a lion into a fox. Quite Machiavellian, but it was difficult to comprehend that during the Israel-Iran conflict who was a lion and who a fox at a particular moment. Nonetheless, one tried to outfox the other through various machinations. Although thundering was common, it was cloaked in mystery, similar to Panchatantra’s blue-dyed jackal.
After ‘Midnight Hammer’, both ‘Rising Lion’ and ‘True Promise 3’ got a safe exit option. But before exercising it, all of them roared: The US President claimed Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been “totally obliterated”; Bibi said “righteous might of the United States will change history”; and Iran promised massive retaliation. Iran returned fire. Along came a twist. Before striking the US base, Iran informed Qatar about the attack.
President Trump thanked Iran “for giving us early notice”. But Iran boasted of ‘Annunciation of Victory’ through “devastating and powerful missile” attacks on the US base. What a beautiful way to fight an enemy! Just imagine a world where combatants reveal everything: “Beware, Iam coming to attack you at such and such hour. Save yourself as I will use so and so arms. Must keep your defences ready.” In such a scenario, there will at best be a light and sound show but no loss of life or property. No doubt, West Asian players have pressed the pause button, but they are still sitting on a powder keg. An oasis of calm is missing. Also, there is no clarity over the hammering, rising or ducking lion and delivery of promise or annunciation. The actors might learn a bit from the Whisky War where hiccups were the only setbacks. Yes, it was as real as the water of life itself. And who knows it better than the Canadians and the Danes.
