The principle is as old as mankind itself: When you want to get somewhere, you need to know basically two things: Your finish line – and your starting point.
When it is a problem to be solved it is important to not just get a hazy idea of some problem or issue… a clear idea of the true problem is vital.
In other words: To get a clear picture of reasons for people doing something – or a system failing, you would look into history: Because it can help to find similar situations you can learn from.
And: Nothing in this life worth having comes easy…but that’s no reason to despair, but: “Keep at it – and remember about the breaks.”
We have come quite some way, in general!
In the past, people for centuries actually found it a great pastime to visit public torture and public hangings!
That has stopped.
In most countries around the world the death penalty has been abolished!
The most simple principle in that respect I have mentioned too, already:
Whatever you colour, creed, or conviction, you are not supposed to either kill, torture or bother other people. Period.
So, again, our goal as societies that have learned a thing or two about communities and responsibility – most if not all of us yearn for peace: For peaceful coexistence. For more mutual understanding.
People in power these days once more seem at the moment at least to have started to realize that they are not just powerful for their own fun – or into the bargain; but that they carry the responsibility for exactly that kind of thing with them, each and every day:
Keep the goal, the ultimate finish line in focus.
Start thinking it through from the end.
Get proper counselling.
Remember that you are not alone on this planet and that your existence as such would be pretty pointless without all the others around….
Since the dawn of time, one might say, diplomacy and negotiations follow rules. Iran and its people have every reason to be proud of a culture that is thousands of years old. Painting, drawing, poetry, music, hand-knotted carpets renowned throughout the world, cuisine…you name it: Wherever you look, it is refined and unique.
In addition the culture and tradition also make for certain rules of behaviour in terms of dignity and pride to be observed when negotiating. At least the more experienced generations of diplomats in the West might still know about them. Many were well-known for centuries over here too.
Recent foreign politics initiated by a person called Trump who is president of the USA again, introduced his favourite way of ‘making deals’: Put the pressure on, bully, scare, and get what you want in the end.
Mr Trump never was one for subtleties, not really well-known for tact or refinement – so far.
I actually wrote to the office of the president a while ago. Perhaps they will care to talk to proper counsellers yet.
One thing is for sure: Iran is well aware of the achievements of its culture and history. They have self-confidence enough to value their dignity. They will not stoop to pressure or scare tactics.
“Weapons of mass destruction” – that was the phrase and apparent reason former president Bush used at the time to attack Iraq; where oil also exists in abundance…oil, yes. That kind of weapons, so it turned out: no.
The contracts with Iran had been there! Uranium enrichment control had been negotiated among others with the former president Barrack Obama, over a decade, actually. Trump cancelled them. Do we call that a ‘smart move’…?
If all of the people and organizations concerned are really interested in getting anywhere with this, start treating Iran as a country and equal opponent. Stop treating them like a wayward child.
Yes, of course: It’s past a pandemic. Look at times in history, when people died in heaps, literally: Bodies everywhere in the streets, literally — in heaps.
So, business is slow, because we saw inflation due to high costs of the pandemic’s health measures: Everywhere when it was declared to have stopped businesses and shops raised their prices. Certain businesses stagnated and smaller shops had to close in large numbers.
People in such times start saving their money instead of spending it. Since sales, profits, revenues, are central in this kind of system, the inflation rose again.
In other words: Supply and demand.
No demand, normal or high supply = no profits.
Businesses have to close, lay off personnel, result: Less spending and thus less sales…
Again, the supply and demand chain.
When markets stay low, and slow, what to do?
One of the very old and often and too soon used methods is: Make a war.
People get distracted. They start worrying about other things.
They may even attribute slow economy and loosing their jobs to the war — and the ‘enemy’.
Meanwhile, weapons have to be produced: They need personnel they will be sold, more people start spending again, and with ‘luck’, apparently the slump will be over…
Well, a few other people die — but — what the heck..? If the government and dictators keep their jobs a little longer.. and others finally get to spend their vacation at the seaside again… who cares?
Well, I do. And I know there are others out there, who do too.
This is to all of you wealthy and powerful: Think again.
Remember:
Whatever your creed, colour or conviction, you are not supposed to kill, torture or bother other people. Period.
There are enough people who know that Trump is not to be trusted. Neither is the statement about ‘just’ wanting to destroy the Uranium enrichment facilities in Iran. Nor the ideas in relation to tariff raises for all and any countries outside the US. That’s blackmail, pure and simple.
To start a war on a country to pressure it into deals is extortion.
Even inside the USA people protest against his politics.
As far as Iran is concerned, I wonder how it is possible that almost any diplomatic respect and rules for negotiation have apparently let go?
Since when would you try and pressurize or scare a whole country into a certain position, when before you yourself made negotiations impossible?
Trump cancelled those contracts that had been agreed upon between the US, EU and the IAEA after 10 years of negotiation!
Is it really feasible that any country – how about the US? – would take it like a scared animal, run, hide and then concede anything?
If you do not know yourself and human beings you cannot possibly understand others. Understanding the other, your opposite at the table, is crucial in order to negotiate.
Again I want to remind us all of the 30-Years’-War in Europe during the 17th century: It was not only a long war, with a number indicating that – it took actually 30 years and it left Europe devastated and devoid of more than 50% of its population; whole regions were left waste and destroyed.
The common history and latent memory of humans make it one of the dreadful periods of time. It took years to end that war!
Negotiations were conducted again and again.
Finally, they were successful.
The same way the first agreements about Uranium enrichment control between Iran and the parties concerned took 10 years!
It was the height of irresponsibility to cancel those contracts!
Years later, a country under threats from all sides is moved into a position that leaves almost no way out…
People, start thinking: This is no way to handle that country and its situation!
Iran, for all its internal politics of cruelty and suppression, with reason is proud of a rich and thousands of years old culture and tradition, much older than the Islamic religion.
Additionally, they are used to natural disasters and foreign potentates from all sides attacking that country just for its rich soils, and huge amounts of oil and gas. They had to learn resilience and it has developed into a fine art, basically.
Starting a war can only end in dreadful consequences and more lives lost, yet.
Images licensed via Adobe CC, my graphics. The building is the Supreme Court in the USA. — NOTE: This a fake image I created on purpose to make my point. There was no recent fire — if any — to the Supreme Court.
They say, I mentioned this a while ago, that the emperor Nero of ancient Rome was supposed to be silly; not to say — mad. He was suspected for ages to have set fire to Rome in order to watch it go under in ‘supreme’ flames… and to play the lute as accompaniment.
I wonder, if he was… more recent findings seem to indicate that he couldn’t have burned a whole city because it would have meant literally hundreds of helpers, who would have been too hard to find…even in those times.
Whichever the case was exactly:
Facts are: Rome burnt that day.
And Trump is on his way to do the same. Just a little more modern and true to dictators’ forms: He has bought himself some followers and supporters.
And during his first time in office he already replaced four of the total of nine Supreme Court Justices. So he also has bought himself some justices…
Which makes for ‘smooth sailing’ now.
Another win (‘surprise surprise surprise’…) in front of it: Although he already is a convicted felon on 34 counts ruled guilty in front of a yet existent and legal court of law of the United States of America he not only has been voted (even if it was indeed a very close shave) for the office of president.
He also does everything he can to heap atrocity on outrage, one after another: Supporting people like Netanyahu in Israel who has set Gaza strip and West Bank ‘on fire’. Torturing and killing people on the pretense that it is the terrorists of the Hamas he is trying to hit…
Being on best terms with Putin in Russia, although claiming the contrary.
Power corrupts, apparently. Money does too, some people at least.
Trump knows how to wield terror and use his money to extort and blackmail and bully – true to form. It’s his life’s story. I wonder how dreadfully empty inside he must feel at times – forcing people around him to lie and lick his boots.
“The Picture of Dorian Gray”, by Oscar Wilde, comes to mind.
It even appears that at the moment the threat of Putin to the EU has done what nothing else could more effectively do, so they both get what they want:
Via Trump Putin gets Ukraine.
Via Putin’s apparent threats NATO and EU lick Trump’s boots who can pose as the saviour, and on the side is ‘making the weapon industry’ heaps of money.
Lo and behold: There are still horror stories out there…
‘Denver Clan’ and ‘Dallas’ revisited…
Would that person called Trump be really pitiful, because a half-wit, unable to grasp facts, or actually disturbed in mind, that would be different.
But he is perfectly capable to see the ‘light’ of sense and clear thought. And refuses to do so… And that is his own doing and his own fault.
He is not to be pitied.
In ancient times there was a story of a king, who was cruel, selfish and lawless. Who had a virgin brought to his bedside every night, to revenge himself — from disappointed love, on all womankind — and had each of them killed the next morning.
Scheherazade one day made her father bring her to the throne and started to tell stories to the king. Each she left unfinished so he would be curious for the next night and the ending of that story. When she started another one. After 1001 nights and 1000 stories he let her stay alive and married her, being a more wise and kind king than any before him.
The story not only makes it clear that ‘love’s way to a man’s heart actually is not through the stomach’ — but his mind. As true love always is.
It also and in vivid colours shows that true understanding, grace and wisdom comes from education and empathy.
By the knowledge that no man or woman is alone or actually can exist on their own on this planet. And that we should at some point learn where true calm and serenity and thus happiness lies:
In self-respect which in turn generates respect and even liking for your fellow man — as well as woman.
Israel was founded after WW II as a means to finally provide a new and old home after centuries of Jewish suffering and recent events during the Nazi regime and its collaborators.
Yet, in what was then ‘Palestine‘ – suddenly and without warning new borders and a new nation were created on a territory that had been home to many people, also for centuries.
Painfully, Arab states and Palestinians on the one hand and Israel’s population on the other through attacks and counterattacks, wars, some only a few days each, tried to come to some sort of peaceful coexistence. To this day they did not succeed.
So, the South of Lebanon, where the Palestinian guerrilla had found refuge for a time, was attacked by Israel in order to prevent them from attacking Israel. Those attacks ‘found’ peacefully living Shi’ite Islamic people there, too.
(Shi’ite Islam is a far more peacefully minded branch of Islam, shortly put – and around 90% of Iran’s population is based on it as well.)
The 1967 war between Israel and Palestinians ended in two parts of the land designated to Palestinians coming under Israel rule: The Gaza strip and the West Bank.
This is the situation that makes it so desperately difficult. But
when Israeli settlers are sent into those parts of ‘Palestine’, which still is no internationally recognized state after all these years;
when Israel’s hardliners such as Netanyahu (in particular) repeatedly attack peaceful Palestinians;
when in south of Lebanon the Hezbollah and in the south of Israel the Hamas are founded to support Palestinians;
when one of the superpowers of this world supports Israel, with backing them – and with weapons, namely the US;
when we all know that war costs not only lives but money…;
when Arab states support ‘Palestine’;
is it really surprising that at some point the present Iranian government (s.a.: 90% followers of Shi’i Islam as well) started supporting the Hezbollah and the Hamas?
War is no destiny! War is man made! Too often more than ‘just’ religious ideas or ownership are involved!
Look at mankind’s history: Wars always have long periods of time where conflict starts to build and eventually boils over – because someone, some ruler… did not do their ‘homework’!
The principle is as easy as pie: Whatever your colour, creed or conviction, you are not supposed to kill, torture or bother other people! Period.
“Yes, but…” — Not buts.
“But…” — No buts.
“But there…” — NO buts.
The Hamas in October of 2024 attacked and took hostages cruelly; no doubt about it.
But the suffering of Palestinians goes on and on and on…
And even inside Israel for years support for Netanyahu has been waning; won only by 2 votes in the Knesset many Israeli people post in social media about their being tired of his kind of politics.
This ‘conflict’ has gone on far too long. There is no reason why an agreement couldn’t be reached if only the rulers, the people concerned started to negotiate.
With patience, knowledge and lots of humane ideas and thinking; amends but also forgiveness, at some point.
The concept of war being a solution for – war, has proven to be false.
For hours now the ceasefire has been declared. Israel and Iran have stopped attacking. Negotiating is the next step.
To think that all of this could have been prevented, had not Trump cancelled the contracts with Iran on Uranium enrichment control, is almost inconceivable.
Trust is something that has to be built and be confirmed in private as well as diplomatic relations. Not just once. But continually.
That US-president Trump now starts to position himself as the great saviour is only again true to form: ‘Make it up, say it often enough, some of it will stick.’
Iran is, due to its tradition of thousands of years existent long before Islamic times, a country with ample reason for pride – and knows resilience in the face of adversity only to well.
They will never stoop nor give in – or up – but stay the course to the end, if necessary.
Iran is by itself a country not only rich in culture and arts, it is also rich in oil, gas and soils which practically beckon outside powers to try conquering. They did that for hundreds of years.
The present government in Iran rules with cruelty and suppression internally, that is no point of discussion or even a question.
But there is more to be lost if the idea should be to (mistakenly) meddle with internal affairs of the country. It seems that some sensible counselling has been going on in the background now.
I would wish with all my heart that one day Iran finds its own strength to generate a more free and similar to democratic ideas wielded government and society.
It will not be a copy of Western societies, most probably, but according to the country’s culture something special, fitting its customs and traditions.
Over all of this we should remember too, that the people in Gaza still are suffering. Reports are most tragic and there should be put an end to the reign of someone like Netanyahu, who apparently does not see the limits power should impose on its holder.
That he is so friendly with Trump, beyond the tradition of special support of Israel by the US, is no wonder.
Yet:
At the moment signs are more hopeful.
War is no destiny! Neither is it inborn to mankind. It does not happen overnight, especially not in these postmodern times.
Let’s remember that.
Human beings have wonderful potential for peace and coexistence.
To think that Iran should take all of this ‘lying down’, is practically a child’s vision… People, anyone in governments of NATO, UN, EU and others, what did you expect???
Iran had agreed to contracts for the control of Uranium enrichment after 10 years of negotiation. I wrote about that.
Now, starting to attack the private areas of a country that has suffered so much from international meddling.
At the same time when you look at its history you will realize that pride and resilience always made it stay the course – till the end.
They will defend their country with all that is given them.
ANYONE who knows enough about the history and the particular culture – independent of recent governments – would be able to explain:
THIS is no way to proceed!
President Trump of dollar graces has cancelled the contracts himself a few years ago.
It’s so obvious it’s like a bad dream to look at news broadcastings.
Mr Friedrich Merz, German chancellor, it is clear that talks to president Trump had been based on the usual endeavour to stay ‘in tune’
If anyone really cares – start thinking and get proper counselling. This is the wrong way!
This could end in a third world war.
The foolishness of such a president to the USA and prime minister Netanyahu in Israel cannot be believed. Netanyahu for years had escalated the actions against people in Gaza. In Israel itself Netanyahu has almost no support in the Knesset, where some time ago he won by 2 votes only. The link opens a post on LinkedIn by an Israeli citizen.
For decades such a result was known to be natural should one try and force anyone in that region, Arab or Persian, into a corner.
Start thinking! It’s high time!
Author’s Note:
I am a German born and bred. I was married to a Persian man of peaceful and politically left-wing character. He had official refugee status in Germany until he died.
I have studied culture, history and language of Iran and received an M.A.
I have followed the ideas, the news and the background information for well over thirty years closely. I know that there are more people who know the facts. Well-educated and knowledgeable. Involve them!
I was raised and always of the opinion that one should try and provide justice to all concerned.
In times of war the truth and its implications often become warped.
PEACE is reached by negotiations. War always results from failure to negotiate properly – with deep insights and patience.
2nd Author’s Note (8:35 p.m., local time, UTC+1): Omid Nouripour, vice president to the German Bundestag a few minutes ago reacted very wise, camly and with a fine background understanding on German TV. He is one of those people to include in consultations.
Trump acts true to form: Viewed in retrospect it looks like so much window dressing on the one hand and — more or less — cunning plans on the other:
Cancel the contracts with Iran on Uranium enrichment control a few years ago. Which had been reached after 10 years of negotiation.
Let Netanyahu in Israel escalate the situation in Gaza to breaking point to prick the Hamas and other Islamic groups — to breaking point.
Coldly let them do their work of killing and hostage taking as a sort of revenge.
Pressure the EU into contracts/agreements by threatening them with high tariffs for months.
Bully and push everyone to any odd lengths.
‘Give’ Ukraine to Putin to make him stay put — and quiet.
Where’s China…? Another blackmailed nation…?
Let Netanyahu of Israel start a war on Iran to make matters even worse.
Call Iran a dangerous regime — when the USA are the only ones ever to have used nuclear bombs?
“Weapons of mass destruction”? It’s so obvious it would be ridiculous in any other circumstance:
The last Shah left Iran almost 40 years ago.
He had been supported as a follower of the USA, and in return sold them oil and gas at lowest possible prices.
The present regime does not.
Saddam Hussein of Iraq similarly had been instated and supported by the USA.
Then he started to cut loose…
As preparation for the 3rd Gulf war George Bush jr. declared and had everyone else believe it — that there were huge amounts of poison gas weapons there;
images from bombings later seemed to show precise and exact hits of ‘military installations’ and weapon factories, only. Well? Rather not…
In view of the fact that the USA are (in)famously in dire need of cheap petrol — and have been so at least for decades — it’s not surprising, all of this.
Control of all the oil wells of the Near East…?
‘Defending their interests…’? ‘I beg your pardon’? Bullying, blackmail, extortion.
“…true to form…”
I am indeed grateful that there are some people and leaders of state left who remember what being human means…
Looking at news in regard to wars – any war – it’s like normal life: People will tell you what they think makes them right. The idea they had in the first place why they were right to start it. The war. The heated argument and possible fist fight.
Yet, too often it is overlooked in wars we deal with long-term interests, such as money – or business. In a general sense: “Where does the money come from – and go?” is an old journalistic principle.
Even older is the Latin phrase that makes it clear as daylight: “Cui bono?” – “Who benefits?”
This conflict between Israel and Iran is not new. And when we listen to the news or read about them, in most cases it becomes clear that in the West people have a lop-sided view: They will report about the bad Iran regime and the good Israel government.
That is a view on matters without any consideration for facts. Often enough in everyday life too the whole truth, the bigger picture, becomes warped with ideas and perspectives; with defense arguments why person A was right and person B was not.
The truth is not always simple: Not in war, not in normal life.
Look closely, at the history and also the main actors of this drama: They have hidden agendas usually to do with money and power.
So dreadfully cruel internally the present Iranian government rules the country – so true is the fact that Iran as a whole has every reason to protect itself from greedy potentates.
Its history is full, I mentioned that more than once, of all those ‘super-powers’ meddling with its politics just because Iran has huge natural resources of gas and oil as well as rich soils beckoning to anyone just interested to make even more money.
Or as is the case with the US, be in dire need of cheap petrol. They have been for decades, if not centuries.
This war was not started for honourable reasons – it is not conducted for honourable reasons – and there is no honourable justification for it.
Practically any war you may take care to review in history, had long periods of time before actual military actions – to develop from conflicts that were not properly negotiated.
Iran had already agreed to contracts to control Uranium enrichment there. Contracts signed on all sides after almost a decade of negotiations. Trump was the one to cancel them during his first stay in office. No one in their right minds can actually want war!
It destroys, kills and leaves people in desperate situations. But then, are people who already have been corrupted by their own power really in ‘their right mind’? Corruption being too deeply set in, would be my guess. To say the least.
The only people who benefit from wars are those companies supplying goods to armies… Is that what we want?
