The world has been inundated with talk of a new looming war. Not World War III, not quite, but something quite sinister and bound to spill over into a wider threat. The speculated war has so far remained in the realms of rhetoric: overtures, hype, threats and counter-threat flood media channels and posturing and propoganda make up much of the mutual intimidation and sizing up involved ahead of a potential war between Iran and Israel.
Tension between the two nations spoiling for a fight has become increasingly heated as the two square each other up for the showdown. Iran and Israel have been engaging in ramping up the pressure in recent weeks, with Iran saying Israeli announcements leave them 'one step away from the cemetery'. But seemingly neither side is throwing all caution to the wind or staying nonchalant.
Israeli machinations for war took a turn for the comically absurd just last month. A public safety campaign to encourage Israelis to wear gas masks--although these are not distributed to Palestinians living under Israeli control--come complete with an interesting, fluffy little front-man in the form of a muppet. Israelis are now waiting to have to duck-and-cover in the face of an increasingly likely-looking Iranian threat. Adding to the hilarity, it looks like any such war will be the result of Israeli bombast.
The Face-off
Iran, when it's not consumed with finding new ways to have a swipe at Israel, is meanwhile warning its citizens that
war is the logical conclusion of this mounting pressure. Iran's president hit out with a
blistering insult when he slated Israel as a "fake regime".One could take comfort in the fact that a leader would hardly plunge into a 'real' war with a 'fake' entity now would he?
Will they won't they, he said, she said: the expected war between Iran and Israel is fuelled by a rampant media, alive with hysteria and rumor of missiles and nuclear capacity. Still, the politicians play a large part in stoking the flames and Ahmadinijad recently threatened to blast US military bases along with Israel altogether and the Straits of Hormuz, if provoked.
But how would such a war begin? Would there be a kidnapping provocoation much like that of the Israel-Lebanon 2006 case? More importantly, what form would such an ominous war take? Chemical, technological, and very likely 'modern' and 'hands-free' warfare -- the media and political gossip grape vines are awash with speculation and theories run amock.
Will the growing feeling of hysteria and empty threats amount to a full-blown conflict or is it all of no consequence - just bombast and bluff? Only time will tell.
What do you think? Share your thoughts and predictions of a future war or empty threats below.
