Donald Trump dropping hypocrisy bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan would serve as a stark demonstration of a controversial assertion: that every U.S. President since 1947 (excluding John F. Kennedy) has acted as a “keep” of Israel. This attack on Iran represents a historic blunder with catastrophic consequences. It would hand strategic victories to China and Russia, empower the Global South, and trigger a massive international crisis.
The Global South would respond decisively, not merely with complaints. They would cite the aggression as definitive proof that the United States operates outside established international rules. This would accelerate efforts to reform the United Nations and establish independent economic systems, moving decisively away from the U.S. dollar. Expect widespread adoption of bilateral currency trade agreements and non-Western financial platforms, such as the BRICS bank. The attack would validate their fundamental push for a world order no longer dominated by American hegemony.
China and Russia stand to gain the most. China would benefit from a distracted America, freeing it to intensify focus on Asia. It would secure discounted Iranian oil and position itself as a peacemaker in the Middle East, potentially drawing traditional U.S. allies like Saudi Arabia into its sphere of influence. Russia would gain from surging global oil prices, providing crucial funding for its war in Ukraine, while also expanding arms sales to an isolated Iran. Both powers would exploit the resulting chaos to actively dismantle the U.S.-led global order.
For the United States and Donald Trump, the fallout would be catastrophic. America would face profound isolation as European allies distance themselves. The U.S. would suffer an irreversible loss of standing as the global leader. Iran would retaliate asymmetrically, employing missiles, drones, and proxy forces to attack U.S. bases and allies across the region, while attempting to disrupt critical oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. would become ensnared in a protracted, unwinnable conflict, draining its military and economic resources. Global oil prices would skyrocket, potentially triggering a severe U.S. recession characterized by rampant inflation and significant job losses. This economic pain would disproportionately impact Trump’s core voter base, effectively ending the “America First” agenda.
Domestically, Trump would face intense scrutiny for initiating another perceived endless war. His political support would crumble, including within his own party, leading to deep national division. Widespread anti-war protests would erupt, fueling significant social and political unrest. Ultimately, attacking Iran constitutes an act of strategic self-sabotage. It would shatter American power, create a profound domestic crisis, and enable its rivals to establish the new rules governing the world order.
By:
Hassan Saleem Awan
