In our last two reports we presented the recap of events as well as the hint of what is yet to come and the attitude of all those involved in the messy situation in the Middle East and beyond. In this month’s report we shall recall a few things which will tell you some home truths as also mentioned in our televised and radio interviews over the last two weeks. This report comes just after the first month of hostilities in an undeclared war… the Diplomacy of Death.
Now let’s be serious and see why Diplomacy is failing in this Iranian – Israeli conflict with the USA powerfully assisting Israel. The main problem rests with lack of preventive diplomacy which is/was the UN Secretary-General’s duty to impose long ago, so now we are all running around trying to avoid a major escalation spreading in the entire Middle East region, possibly beyond.
What is missing in the US/Israeli attack on the theocratic regime of Iran is plan and planning. The late US General and President Dwight Eisenhower’s maxim: “Plans are worthless, but planning is everything”, unfortunately isn’t yet brought to bear. In our last report we have warned that hell will come from President Trump if Tehran doesn’t agree to his terms and more is to come very soon.
We are fed up to see the Persian Gulf region yet again in major trouble and mess following the Iraq – Iran war, then two Gulf wars and the end of Sadam’s regime following the liberation of Kuwait. The current major catastrophe is giving tremors beyond the region damaging the well-being of an already troubled World following the 2008 economic chaos, the credit crunch, COVID, not to mention the ongoing slaughter in the Ukrainian- Russian tragedy, Sudan, etc etc.
Indeed the USA has to maintain its global hegemony and protect its vested interests, hence its operation in Venezuela – well done from us in favour of Mr Trump inclusive of the drugs issue, and now in the Persian Gulf trying to squeeze China getting oil etc from Iran. It is not just the Chinese factor the West is anxious about and is interested to stop. China envies Iran, an issue few can see and understand and very few make a point of this in the press and social media! A powerful Iran can create a sphere of influence backed by Muslim nations damaging Chinese interests, given the wealth of Iranian soil that China is eyeing, hence the support it is offering under a mask/cover to Iran in weaponry etc. Russia too wishes to maintain its influence on Iran… we remind you the Bushir (Bushehr) nuclear plant is Russian made… not to mention the meetings with Putin’s Russia and Erdogan’s Türkiye, the last in tatters given what takes place. It is pathetic to see and read the support of President Erdogan for Hamas and other terrorist groups.
The Theatre of the Absurd triumphs as you read these lines. Planet Ocean is not interested just in a ceasefire / truce but only in a long-lasting Peace. To achieve this only one term should be discussed before anything else: Iran and the entire Muslim world should forthwith recognise the State of Israel, and Israel – on a back to back basis, as we say in Shipping, should recognise the Muslim world. That’s the most important issue, end of the story. If this takes place here and now, then Peace will shine. That of course implies the creation of the Palestinian state. Failing this, the mess will continue with incalculable repercussions for decades to come. Terrorism is ante portas; don’t ignore this issue. We are very sensitive in Shipping as we have Seafarers on board ships be they our children, relatives or friends, and in general all crews of any nationality that serve on board our ships!! The renewed threat by the Houthis is a matter of great concern for us in the industry and in particular Greek Shipping, Planet Ocean’s number one!
We read and heard of a scenario of fees to be imposed inbound and outbound the Strait of Hormuz and a few states taking part with Pakistan offering its good offices in a recent meeting. Where was Greece in such meeting? Why wasn’t Greece invited? Greece controls the 22 (twenty-two centum) of this traffic and should have a say!! The Strait is not a canal like Panama or the Suez Canal or the Kiel Canal to name but a few and it doesn’t belong solely to Iran as a passage. Oman is there too, correct? The hitherto existing practicalities and custom / modus operandi should prevail.
Europe is closely watching developments in the region, and we should listen to its leaders, but also the European leaders must get their act together.
As Chaos Reigns, a few things of importance in this and every conflict in this region are:
- The Analysis of the Argument…
- The role of Spin Doctors, hence my view that you should be your own spin doctor…
- The Ethics of any Conflict – as this one is also about ethics…
- The Blackmail Factor – here in this very conflict, Blackmail triumphs…
- A must to separate the people from the problem/conflict…
- A must to focus on interests and not on positions…
- Knowing how to negotiate and dealing with difficult people particularly those influenced by theocratic regimes/religions…
- Faith…
- Status…
- Learn from the truth about the Afghanistan conflict… which also has appeared these days in a flair-up with Pakistan…
- Is it all about oil? What if Iran, as might be said in the case of Kuwait, instead of producing oil and gas was producing broccoli, would there be the Gulf Wars?
- How does this war affect the envisaged Silk Roads some have in mind?
- How does the so-called War on Terror affect us all?
- What will happen to the Oil Sheikhs and the Petrodollar?
- Iran is not Iraq…
N.B. Remember the Hellenic myth of Narcissus? Well same is directly concerned with the fact of human experience, as the word Narcissus indicates. The word emanates from the Hellenic word narcosis, or numbness. So try to understand NARCISSUS as NARCOSIS and try to interpret same with Donald Trump’s behaviour, which is a natural follow-on to his past life. As said in one of my previous reports, we hope he succeeds in what he’s up to, but what if he fails… Personally I hope that he succeeds and does whatever it takes!
