However much humans may boast of their scientific and technological progress but the man is puny before the powers of nature. Why go far back into history, the recent Tsunami which devastated several countries in the South Asia and hurricanes Katrina, Rita on the Gulf shores of America are proof positive.
These catastrophes come unexpectedly, cause havoc but end without lingering too long leaving the surviving behind to painfully pick up the pieces. Not so with man made follies, tragedies and wars.
In the 20th century, after the death and destruction caused by WW II, the world had settled down to uneasy peace notwithstanding the Cold War between the superpowers, the interlude of Vietnam and several bush fires around the globe.
Since 11th September 2001 the world has been plunged into disturbing doldrums caused mainly by America's determination to dominate the world. A terrorist attack on World Trade Towers and Pentagon was seized by the people and Bush government of USA to launch a campaign of vendetta mainly directed against al-Qaeda, which has led to two wars with more in the offing.
It began with an attack on Afghanistan considered Osama-bin-Laden's sanctuary. In the process Taliban regime was ousted but Osama escaped. A pro-American government was installed but the Taliban have gone underground and after 3 years are waging relentless battles to keep the country in turmoil.
At the inception of anti-terrorist campaign Bush branded Iraq - Iran & North Korea as "axis of evil" making no secret of U.S. intentions against these countries.
Iraq was taken on next on charges of WMDs and involvement in terrorism. There being no convincing proof of these accusations, international community refused to go along. Nonetheless America launched a unilateral attack in company with U.K. Due to overwhelming military superiority the war was won in 3 weeks and the country occupied. Now after 2 1/2 years Americans are bogged down facing ever-increasing insurgency.
The victory has been hollow as U.S. objective of bringing democracy to Iraq has not been achieved. I am sure Bush by now has come to realise that American values and ways of life are not necessarily the best and in any case others around the world cannot be compelled to adopt the same by coercion. Somehow elections have been held and constitution is in the making but the ever-increasing violence negates the prospects of peace and restoration of law and order in the near future.
America has inflicted terrible wounds on the 30 million people of Iraq, which would take ages to heal. Iraq was ruled by a ruthless dictator and his opponents were made to suffer, but overall the country was peaceful progressing economically. Today Iraq stands shattered and is in ruins.
After Iraq the second on Bush's bogey list was its neighbour Iran, once one of the closest ally of America in the Middle-East, and now regarded as a hostile country. USA failed to save or shelter its loyal friend king Raza Shah Pahelvi who was dethroned by Ayatullah Khomeini led Islamic revolution.
The relationship thus severed has not been repaired as Iran does not trust America, the Ayatullah having branded it "A Great Satan". Iran the third largest oil producing country in the world has managed to survive the social and economic upheavals and has weathered many a storms including an all out war with Iraq. It was Saddam's nefarious design for taking advantage of unsettled conditions in Iran and become the top-gun in the Middle-East.
The war may not have been sponsored by America but Saddam was aided and abetted by US, Russia and other Western countries. However, Iran fought resolutely and remained unconquered and the battles fizzled out with victory to neither side.
The end brought the orthodox clerics to ascendancy who rule the country with an iron hand. Though elections are held periodically, it is the Guardian Council headed by Ayatullah Khamenai which calls the tunes, reducing the parliament to a debating society.
A few reformists in the assembly backed by students and enlightened intellectuals are unable to make any headway as the military, police and judiciary are subservient to the Supreme Council.
American covert attempt to bring about a regime change have consistently failed. Now that Iran has decided to go nuclear, US fears a Bomb which could fall into the hands of jehadi terrorists.
No amount of stick and carrot tactics has deterred Iran because it claims fundamental right as a sovereign nation to acquire nuclear energy for peaceful purposes remaining within the bounds of NPT which it has signed.
Washington has persuaded European powers Britain, France and Germany to intervene.
Protracted negotiations have proved fruitless and finally in frustration IAEA has been made to refer Iran to UN Security Council. It has become a red rag to the bull as Iran has threatened retaliation by way of banning oil supply badly needed by international community.
Russia is the main country assisting Iran in nuclear technology and China a leading importer of oil. Both are against punitive action through UNO and in all possibility would veto any such move. America under the present circumstances cannot contemplate an attack to destroy the plant on its own or through Israel, because the consequences would be ruinous and has no alternative but to swallow the bitter pills.
Similar state of doldrums prevails vis-à-vis North Korea. But the chances of resolution are a shade better because the neighbouring countries led by China have persuasive power to bring around N. Korea to a peaceful settlement Israel-Palestine logjam is of long duration, considered the root cause of alienation between America and the Muslim world. All efforts to find a key to unlock the deadlock have been in vain.
Following the demise of Arafat regarded by Israel and the West as a stumbling block, hopes were raised of bilateral negotiations brokered by third parties. Under pressure from America when Sharon vacated Gaza strip it was considered a step forward.
However the militants in Palestine regard it as a gesture too little and too late. With resumption of attacks from either side, the stalemate is likely to continue indefinitely. India-Pakistan after remaining daggers drawn have decided to forsake war option and are building bridges of reconciliation. But no worthwhile progress has been made on the core issue of Kashmir.
India is in no hurry while Pakistan is impatient. The relationship is therefore, likely to remain in doldrums for quite some time to come.
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