TIGHTROPE WALK FOR INDIA

The pursuit of strategic autonomy and building domestic economic strength need not justify geopolitical ambiguity bordering on timidity

- Ajit Ranade

The US joined the war between Israel and Iran, by bombing three nuclear sites in Iran. President Donald Trump used his presidential authority to send stealth bombers, which dropped the bombs. They could not be stopped by Iran's anti-aircraft defense. The President ordered the strike on a sovereign nation, without any provocation, and without the approval of Congress, that is their legislature. Whether he exceeded his authority or not will be debated for long and might perhaps go to court. Even the right-wing supporters of Trump do not want America to be dragged into wars in distant lands. The bombs included bunker-busters, weighing nearly 15 kilotons. It is unlikely that Iran's nuclear programme has been destroyed. Does the American bombing mean that the war is over, and peace has commenced in the region? Will there be an immediate regime change? Of course not. Iran is expected to retaliate.