A Tale of Two Powerful Cities
Leaders, Wars & Contradictions: Obama, Trump, and the World in Crisis
By Samuel Tunji Adeyanju
“There is also no common grounds for comparing the killing of leader of the Al Qaeda Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind of the 911 and bombing of the World Trade Center (Twin Towers) in 2001, with that of the Supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Khamenei. The victory of Obama was the victory of America, unlike the invasion of Iran, which according to a popular poll, 6 out of 10 Americans were against the unprovoked war.”
In the world full of contradictions is confusion, as well as incessant conflicts, which over the years have claimed so many lives unnecessarily. Of what use is a leader who cannot manage the contradictions of life and the attendant conflicts creatively?From among the super power countries America which is the strongest country in the world as well as the largest economy is at a vantage position to be a beacon of light, from whom much can be learnt, especially from its successes and failures, victories and defeats. As it is today, the leaders of every country, whether democratically elected or not, are the symbols of their countries whether for good or bad.
In trying to interrogate some of the policies of the United States, especially the foreign policy, it would not be out of place to seek clarity on whether the American Presidents are people centric or over consumed by party ideology.
Obama and Trump: A Tale of Two Presidencies
I try to dispel all the ragging undercurrent of sentiments and emotions for objectivity, when trying to establish a connection between the Bible story of David and Saul, and the former President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump, both of the United States. Recall how after David had killed Goliath, the women sang in praise of David, saying David has killed his 10,000 and Saul, his 1000. The aftermath was a chaotic situation, characterized by envy, suspicion and assassination attempts. Suffice to say that there is no basis for comparing former President Obama with other former Presidents of the United States, except President Donald Trump, simply because of his alignment with racism and his draconian immigration policy. There is no gainsaying the fact that all the 9 countries with nuclear weapon capabilities, namely United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, North Korea, India, Pakistan, and Israel, aptly fit in for description as the Super Terrorists. To this end therefore, any aggressions from any of these countries to the others, are acts of terrorism.
Multilateralism vs. Utilitarianism: Diverging Foreign Policies
While the former President Obama adopted the multilateralism approach as his foreign policy thrust, Donald Trump adopted utilitarianism. He pulled America out of some key multilateral organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), World Trade Organization (WTO). He also withdrew America from the climate change agreement and imposed a high levy on NATO.
The Iran Question: Diplomacy Abandoned
There is also no common grounds for comparing the killing of leader of the Al Qaeda Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind of the 911 and bombing of the World Trade Center (Twin Towers) in 2001, with that of the Supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Khamenei. The victory of Obama was the victory of America, unlike the invasion of Iran, which according to a popular poll, 6 out of 10 Americans were against the unprovoked war. Constitutionally, the World Power Resolution which dates back to 1973 is a statutory law that requires the President to consult the congress before sending US forces into hostilities. The constitution itself gives Congress the power to declare war, but overtime, Presidents have often acted without prior approval, citing their role as Commander in Chief. The only concerning thing about such behavior, especially from a leader of a country with nuclear weapon capability, is that, any other leader from among them the Super Terrorists, may just wake up one day and decide to bring existence to extinction.
However, if what analysts are saying, that it was Israel and Saudi Arabia that exerted so much pressure on President Donald Trump to make him bye-pass the requisite approval from the Congress of the United States of America is true, one can only say it is unfortunate and may God save the world.
Constitutional Guardrails and the War Powers Resolution
With Iran Obama presented a nuclear deal, JCPLA, meaning, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The agreement signed in 2015, reduced Iran’s Uranium enrichment capacity and an oversight function an inspection was handled by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).Iran under a robust international monitoring, was complying, until Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018,thereby creating a big shift from diplomatic engagements to a more pressure-based tactics, and as we all know, tactics is a bunch of ploys and there is an end.
Britain’s Principled Stand
The Prime minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, deserves commendations globally for declining the invitation from America to join in wagging war against Iran, citing the important place of national interest in making important decisions. While delivering a speech before the Parliamentarians, he referenced the Iraq war of 2003, and how Britain was dragged into it by America, and how they blindly followed. It was later discovered that America deceived the world, using the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by Saddam Hussein as an excuse for the invasion. The position taken by Britain was an allusion to the saying that only a fool allows himself to be deceived twice by the same person.
Netanyahu, Israel, and the Shadow of Influence
The personality of a leader to a large extent, affects his capacity, and that is what determines the contents. For instance, in foreign policy, especially as pertaining to war management approaches. With Afghanistan, Obama’s, approach was that of gradual and responsible withdrawal of the troops, emphasizing diplomacy. With Donald Trump, it was a more direct dealing approach. His press for a negotiated peace led to the DOHA agreement signed on February 29, 2020, which pushed for a quicker removal of the American troops, in contrast with the Obama’s approach.
A Word to the World
If you are rejoicing over the calamity of Iran today, do not over rejoice please, because madness is in degrees and mad men in the positions of leadership are scattered all over the world and you do not know who is he that is like of the ravenous wolves in sheep clothings. Our world today is polluted with risks and uncertainties. You are not admonished to pray only, but to pray, watch, and say something when you see something. It is impossible for the world to achieve the peace it wants, and on the terms on which it wants it. Think of this, which is better, between being the agent of the fulfilment of doom on the world, and a savior, the peace lover and maker. Shadow chasing is the portion of the ignorant. The wise shall inherit glory.
“A wise man says that, kings have long arms, but misfortune longer. Therefore, let none think of himself out of reach.”
Shalom
By Samuel Tunji Adeyanju.
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