In the pre-dawn hours, warships from the United States, NATO allies, Israel, and regional powers including Turkey and Egypt patrol the Mediterranean waters. By our estimate, over 170 naval assets now fill this confined sea - the largest gathering of military might since the Allied armada before D-Day in 1944.
The ostensible reason is to provide support for Israel’s incursion into Gaza. But informed observers suspect much more is afoot. This massive show of force exceeds what is required just for Gaza. It feels more like preparations for a war with Iran.
While the Gazans suffer under Israeli bombardment, the great powers quietly maneuver their chess pieces under the cover of this latest flare-up. The meetings in recent days between Hamas, Iran, Russia, China, and Syria hint at alignments and military plans being made.
The threats grow louder. Turkey’s President Erdogan warns he will send troops to defend the Palestinians. The head of Hezbollah promises a major announcement this Friday that many believe will be a declaration of all-out war on Israel.
The pressure builds on all sides. Last night, Palestinian militants fired missiles at the Dimona nuclear reactor in southern Israel. And today, Ukraine apparently targeted a Russian nuclear waste repository with a drone strike. These attacks up the ante, inching us closer to unthinkable escalation.
As this massive armada steams toward uncertain waters, an eerie calm prevails before the storm. But the winds of war are rising, and it seems nothing can stop the gathering tempest. All we can do is batten down the hatches and pray to ride out the inferno ahead. If the great powers do not come to their senses, we may be witnessing the last days of our unipolar world.
Comments