Nor does the United States have any credible record that its killing of high-value targets produces less bloodshed and moderation on the part of the terrorist or criminal organization it is trying to coerce. The U.S. killing of the Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mansour only enabled the rise of the much more bloodthirsty Sirajuddin Haqqani to the top of the Taliban’s leadership and failed to cause any meaningful fragmentation or weakening of the Taliban.
In 2020, When the United States killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani on January 3, it also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a powerful Iraqi militia leader. The move critically destabilized U.S.-Iraq relations.
The unique situations that arise from this conflict cannot be ignored. For example, the lack of engagement between Iran and Pakistan is a major concern. Both countries must find a way to bypass their national security concerns and the sectarian connection between the two sides. Furthermore, the potential for a nuclear-armed Iran to further agitate Pakistan is a real threat that cannot be overlooked.
The US-Iran tensions have created a complex situation that has forced Pakistan to remain neutral in order to maintain its domestic stability, given its large minority of Shiite Muslims. However, the sectarian dimension of the crisis has resulted in violence that cannot be ignored.
The Iran-Saudi Arabia proxy conflict is another issue that has been waged on multiple levels, including geopolitical, economic, and sectarian influence. The conflict is a means of pursuing regional hegemony, and it is important to recognize the potential for violent conflict to persist.
Iran’s nuclear program and the training of proxy forces throughout the Middle East add to the potential for conflict. These unique situations require attention, and the international community must work together to find a peaceful resolution.
PACE TULSA 