United States To Retreat after War, Will Have To Stand On Its Own
On April 1, President Donald Trump justified his attack on Iran saying, “The United States imports almost no oil through the Hormuz Strait, and won’t be taking any in the future. We don’t need it... And the countries of the world that do receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage ... They must grab it and cherish it."
The U.S.–Israel war against Iran, a conflict of Trump’s own making, has blocked the Strait of Hormuz and thrown the global economy into chaos.* Despite this, it seems Trump has irresponsibly left it to each country to handle the future consequences themselves. Since World War II, the United States has assumed the role of a hegemon, creating and maintaining the international order based on its tremendous power. However, it has now voluntarily abandoned this position. In these turbulent times, we must begin to fundamentally consider how to protect our national interests.
In his April 1 remarks, President Trump said, “We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks.” He warned that if there was no agreement in that time, Iran’s previously off-limits power plants and oil refineries would be destroyed. Regarding the blockade of the strait, Trump told the other countries to “go get your own oil,” and suggested that in the future, countries should either buy oil from the United States or “take the Strait for yourselves.”
Although the White House announced a day earlier that the president would address the public with an important update on Iran, he merely repeated what he said before over social media and in press interviews: that if Iran does not submit within the next two to three weeks, the United States would conduct extensive strikes on power plants and civilian facilities before disengaging from Iran. After launched a regrettable war and failing to find an exit, the United States’ strategic predicament is apparent.
Now that President Trump has stated his intentions, we, too, have no other choice but to consider what steps we will take in response. If U.S. military action concludes in two to three weeks, the 35 countries, including the United Kingdom, that have said they will cooperate in ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz should begin concrete discussions. Depending on the circumstances, our warships could be positioned directly into dangerous convoy operations through the strait. At the same time, we should not abandon bilateral diplomacy in order to maintain relations with our ally, Iran. However, if Iran persists in turning the strait into a tollgate, extreme conflict is inevitable. In the worst-case scenario, Trump could attack Iran’s energy facilities, and Iran could retaliate against Gulf oil producers. If this occurs, the war will continue, and the global economy will become virtually paralyzed.
The United States has now become a “predatory power,” in pursuit only of its own national interests. Using this war as a justification, the United States has even hinted that it intends to withdraw from NATO, and people are predicting significant changes to the U.S.–Korean alliance as well. The foundation of peace and prosperity we have long enjoyed is showing cracks. Middle powers that share our values should stand together and seek a new world order that is less reliant on the United States.
*Editor’s update: A two-week ceasefire in the Iran war was announced on April 7. As of April 9, Iran still maintained a near-total blockade of the
Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S.–Israel war against Iran, a conflict of Trump’s own making, has blocked the Strait of Hormuz and thrown the global economy into chaos.* Despite this, it seems Trump has irresponsibly left it to each country to handle the future consequences themselves. Since World War II, the United States has assumed the role of a hegemon, creating and maintaining the international order based on its tremendous power. However, it has now voluntarily abandoned this position. In these turbulent times, we must begin to fundamentally consider how to protect our national interests.
In his April 1 remarks, President Trump said, “We are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks.” He warned that if there was no agreement in that time, Iran’s previously off-limits power plants and oil refineries would be destroyed. Regarding the blockade of the strait, Trump told the other countries to “go get your own oil,” and suggested that in the future, countries should either buy oil from the United States or “take the Strait for yourselves.”
Although the White House announced a day earlier that the president would address the public with an important update on Iran, he merely repeated what he said before over social media and in press interviews: that if Iran does not submit within the next two to three weeks, the United States would conduct extensive strikes on power plants and civilian facilities before disengaging from Iran. After launched a regrettable war and failing to find an exit, the United States’ strategic predicament is apparent.
Now that President Trump has stated his intentions, we, too, have no other choice but to consider what steps we will take in response. If U.S. military action concludes in two to three weeks, the 35 countries, including the United Kingdom, that have said they will cooperate in ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz should begin concrete discussions. Depending on the circumstances, our warships could be positioned directly into dangerous convoy operations through the strait. At the same time, we should not abandon bilateral diplomacy in order to maintain relations with our ally, Iran. However, if Iran persists in turning the strait into a tollgate, extreme conflict is inevitable. In the worst-case scenario, Trump could attack Iran’s energy facilities, and Iran could retaliate against Gulf oil producers. If this occurs, the war will continue, and the global economy will become virtually paralyzed.
The United States has now become a “predatory power,” in pursuit only of its own national interests. Using this war as a justification, the United States has even hinted that it intends to withdraw from NATO, and people are predicting significant changes to the U.S.–Korean alliance as well. The foundation of peace and prosperity we have long enjoyed is showing cracks. Middle powers that share our values should stand together and seek a new world order that is less reliant on the United States.
*Editor’s update: A two-week ceasefire in the Iran war was announced on April 7. As of April 9, Iran still maintained a near-total blockade of the
Strait of Hormuz.
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