Kissinger's remarks were much quoted on social media this week as the new war launched by Donald Trump against Iran once again demonstrated that US imperialism has a way of devastating allies as well as foes. The brunt of suffering caused by the war is not restricted to the main actors-the United States, Israel and Iran-but extends across the region and indeed the world.
The price of oil has soared over $100 a barrel globally as a result of the US-Israeli war on Iran. Iran has effectively shut down shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel has attacked critical Iranian oil depots. Despite public pressure and outrage, all parties seem prepared to continue the war.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday told reporters it's up to Trump "whether it's the beginning, the middle or the end" of the war. Trump, during the course of one speech at a House Republican gathering on Monday, went from calling the war a "short-term excursion" that could end soon to proclaiming "we haven't won enough."
