An escalation in the Gulf threatens international security
This past week, the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf have seen unprecedented acts of terrorism. Two Saudi Arabian oil tankers were attacked off the coast of Fujairah and two oil pumping stations on the pipeline going to Yanbu were targeted by explosive-laden drones.
The attacks sent shock waves into international oil markets and prices shot up immediately. Pakistan has expressed genuine concern stemming from a variety of reasons. For one, its own energy needs are attached to this area — critical for both international energy requirements and world security — with millions of Pakistani expats productively engaged there. Our mutual cultural and spiritual links go back centuries in history.
Forces challenging world peace and the prosperity of the Gulf need to be challenged and their designs defeated. Non-state actors thrive in chaotic conditions to increase their areas of operation. Juxtaposed to this, organized modern states flourish in peaceful conditions because those serve as a catalyst for trade and development. It is therefore in the interest of the international community to curb and eliminate threats emanating from militant entities. Small disgruntled groups of terrorists cannot be allowed to hijack international trade and prosperity.
Juvenile acts have massive consequences for the international economy and regional peace, and international powers can ill afford to ignore these ominous developments. The world wars were ignited by minor incidents, and it is easy to start a war. National tempers rise too high too quickly to heed sane advice, and countries ought to refrain their proxies from indulging in activities like attacking the east-west oil pipeline in the world’s largest oil producer.
Anticipating rising tensions in the Gulf, Washington decided to move USS Arlington — a warship — to the region. The US also moved patriot anti-missile batteries and B-52 bombers to the area. This massive military build-up is clearly aimed at countering the possible threat of Iranian missiles operated by its Revolutionary Guards.
This segment of Iranian forces, present also in Iraq and Syria, was designated a terrorist organization by the US government in April. If things escalate, clashes between US forces and the Revolutionary Guards in Iraq and Syria cannot be ruled out.
Forces challenging world peace and the prosperity of the Gulf need to be challenged and their designs defeated.
Javed Hafeez
While the current scenario is dangerous and fraught with tense options, the international community is scrambling to contain tensions. In this regard, the role of the EU, Russia, China, Turkey and Pakistan can be vital in defusing a possible clash.
Iran is paranoid after the renewal of sanctions. A war could wreck its already floundering economy and its angry masses could opt for regime change. But even more so, the process would be chaotic and destructive for the entire region and is not in the interest of the international community.
We live in times when conventional wars are being replaced by fifth generation wars. These wars apply sabotage, proxy terrorism to weaken societies and wreck economies. In that sense, covert wars are perhaps even more dangerous than conventional ones.
Regular armed forces are not trained to tackle drones or handle psychological warfare. Defence policies naturally undergo drastic changes at the operational and strategic levels, and citizens have to be involved in order to strengthen preventive measures.
Acts of sabotage in a country which is custodian of Islam’s holiest sites of worship also warrants the role of the Organization of Islamic Co-operation (OIC). It must work with member states and the United Nations to douse the fires of hatred and resolve issues afflicting the Muslim World.
Pakistan has stood by Saudi Arabia in its fight against terror in the past and will continue to do so- potentially as a vital source of information, experience and expertise. To protect our societies, we have to remain ever vigilant. A handful of non-state actors and their regional sponsors cannot be allowed to highjack our future.
