Understanding the consequences of the Iran war

RUN ON NUMBERS

- CORRIE KRUGER

WHEN global power plays, ordinary people pay the price.

(AFP)

THE average SA citizen struggling with his or her personal finances is a mere spectator in this devastating war. It affects each person when the transport cost doubles, inflation rears its devastating effect on consumer spending, and credit becomes impossible to obtain. SA Banks have lost more than R200 billion in market capitalisation.

The United States of America has decided to join Israel in an attack on Iran without consulting its own Senate and House of Representatives, the United Nations, and its allies such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that includes Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. Critics argue that Trump bypassed Congress, which, under the US Constitution, holds the sole authority to declare war.

The USA and Israel created the narrative that they want to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The data below shows the nuclear capabilities of nations.

Total global warheads: ~12,300 (active + reserve + retired awaiting dismantlement). Source: World Population Review.

Nine countries possess nuclear weapons today, and together they hold more than 12 000 warheads.

The narrative that Iran must be attacked, whilst there are so many nuclear weapons in the hands of other countries, is beyond belief. Many observers are claiming that this is an illegitimate war.

The phrase “the king has feet of clay” comes directly from the Bible, where it symbolises hidden weakness in someone who appears powerful or admirable. The King requested Daniel, a prophet, to interpret a dream he had. Daniel interpreted this as a prophecy: A powerful kingdom built on a weak foundation will eventually fall.