“I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, for vengeance, for desolation. War is hell.”

— William Tecumseh Sherman

Aside from bloodshed and ruins, a war with Iran is unwinnable. The only thing that can be accomplished is more hatred for the United States.

The Republic of Iran is not like Syria or Saudi Arabia, which are effectively kingdoms. The loyalty in Iran is not to a monarch as is the case for Saudi; it is more innate and ideological. Therefore, any attack simply reinforces the hearts and resolve of the Iranian people.

We often quote “give me liberty or give me death”, but the difference is they mean it and are prepared to die.

The international message that is being signalled by the US and its surge against Iran is counterintuitive. North Korea will take these actions as a justification for its nuclear pursuits, particularly when it is proven that if you do not have nuclear weapons, you will be bullied.

No nation aside from Israel agrees with the present escalation fostered by the Trump Administration.

Europe, who are the allies of the US, do not agree with the premise or the escalation towards war.

That aside, Russia more than likely will use this war as a proxy because it will not settle for greater American presence in the region given the relationship it has with Iran.

This war will drive up the price of oil and could prove unsettling to the world economy. The Strait of Hurmuz will require on-the-ground patrols or, simply put, occupation.

America, which has touted a nationalist agenda of “Me First” will take a reversal of that role if they intend now to become the police for Venezuela, Iran and North Korea, particularly when it does as a sole entity with reluctant allies.

If it is denuclearisation that is desired, an attack on Iran, which has some of the best scientists in the world, is counterproductive.

Iraq was already used in a war against Iran through Saddam Hussein and lost, which is the clearest indication that the only thing achievable by the US is air bombardment.

Aside from some devastation, that does not win the war. Beating Isis, a militia of radicals hated even by their host populations, is not the equivalent to a nation with an identity and which has solidarity.

Can America do massive damage to Iran? Yes it can, but it will be no more successful against the Iranians than it was against Vietnam, a country that was ravished but not defeated.

Barack Obama had the right approach, which was based on diplomacy and constructive engagement.

Unfortunately, it seems this administration has an obsession with trying to outdo or overturn the legacy of his presidency, even at the expense of being ridiculous.

Will the White House table the evidence before Congress with the details of what it terms as Iranian provocation in the region that threatens American security? Or will Americans be brought into an unconstitutional war in Iran based on White House approval alone?

The President does not have the right or power to begin a war unless American territories are attacked.

Will Congress sit by idly and let the country and the world be dragged into another war. The only beneficiaries of this war are the weapons dealers, who can count on the manufacture of another round of ammunition and testing of their factory products.

The axis of this war can bring the most powerful military nations into direct conflict.

Bermuda, which is struggling to grow its economy, cannot afford to bear witness to a war that will upset the global markets. Let’s pray for peace and diplomacy.