By Sanjay Kumar
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
President Donald Trump appears to have forgotten the hard lessons of history—and is now doomed to repeat them, with consequences the world cannot afford.
In 2001, the United States ousted the Taliban from Kabul. Two years later, it invaded Iraq on false claims of weapons of mass destruction. By 2011, it intervened in Libya under the guise of bringing democracy, eliminating Muammar Gaddafi in the process. All these missions ended not in peace or prosperity but in destruction, chaos, and unprecedented instability—much of which the global community continues to suffer today.
One of the most dangerous by-products of these misadventures was the birth of ISIS. America’s reckless military interventions in Iraq, Libya, and Syria displaced millions and triggered the worst refugee crisis Europe has seen in decades. The political aftershocks of that crisis emboldened far-right movements, especially in countries like Germany—where memories of fascism still haunt the national conscience.
Today, by embroiling the U.S. in the Iran-Israel conflict, Trump has revived America’s cycle of military miscalculations in the Middle East—22 years after its disastrous invasion of Iraq.
Trump’s Unilateral Action
What makes this episode more alarming is the manner in which it unfolded. Trump, now in his second term, acted unilaterally—without consulting NATO allies or seeking congressional approval. He had vowed to avoid war, claiming his “Make America Great Again” vision would usher in peace and economic revival. Yet, in stark contrast, he authorized unprecedented strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—just two days after promising a two-week window for diplomacy.
The damage wasn’t limited to physical infrastructure in Iran. Washington’s credibility as a global mediator took a severe hit. International institutions—already weakened in recent years—suffered another blow. At a time when diplomacy was gaining traction, with Iran preparing for the sixth round of nuclear talks and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian in discussions with European leaders in Geneva, Trump’s abrupt military action undermined all efforts for peace.
A War Scripted in Advance?
In hindsight, it appears the U.S.-Iran negotiations may have been a smokescreen. The coordinated aggression by Israel on June 13—while nuclear talks were still ongoing—suggests a premeditated plan between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump to sabotage diplomacy and provoke war. Once again, Washington chose aggression over dialogue, violating international laws and conventions in the process.
The U.S., which should have led the global community toward de-escalation, has instead played the role of a rogue actor. The implications of this are severe—not only for the credibility of the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency but also for global peace and security.
No Easy Options for Iran
Iran now finds itself at a crossroads. If it refrains from responding militarily, its leadership risks losing legitimacy. But retaliation risks dragging the region—and potentially the world—into a protracted conflict. The option of returning to the negotiating table has all but vanished, given the U.S.’s betrayal of trust and abandonment of diplomatic commitments.
Let’s not forget—it was the Trump administration that unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Iran nuclear deal forged after years of painstaking negotiation. That move, heavily influenced by Netanyahu, marked the beginning of a downward spiral.
The June 13 strikes further exposed Washington’s disregard for diplomacy and international norms. The question now arises: can a country claim to uphold global order while bombing nuclear sites with potential radiation fallout?
Global Shockwaves
The geopolitical fallout from Trump’s Iran strike will be vast. Iran may retaliate by targeting U.S. interests in West Asia—something that could entangle America in yet another costly, unwinnable war. History shows that the U.S. has never emerged victorious from long-drawn wars. From Vietnam to Afghanistan, the result has always been the same: strategic failure at great human and financial cost.
Another looming threat is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a vital maritime chokepoint that transports a third of the world’s oil. Any disruption here could send energy prices soaring, destabilizing economies from South Asia to Europe. India, which imports nearly 40% of its oil from the region, would be severely impacted. With around 9 million Indians working in the Middle East, remittances could dry up, hitting both households and the broader South Asian economy.
Silence is Not an Option
In this context, New Delhi’s silence is no longer tenable. When war rages at your doorstep, neutrality is not just inadequate—it’s dangerous. India must reassess its strategic posture and speak up for diplomacy before the flames of conflict consume the region entirely.
Trump’s reckless gambit in Iran has plunged the Middle East into a dangerous new era. He has repeated the very mistakes he once vowed to avoid, proving yet again that ignoring the past invites its tragic return.
The world now watches with bated breath as the consequences of this latest intervention unfold.
Author’s Bio: Sanjay Kumar is a Delhi-based journalist with over two decades of experience covering international affairs and South Asia.DD
