Events Unfolding Post US Assassination of Qassem Soleimani

The events post the US assassination of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani are unfolding.

Further to Iran launching a missile attack on US-led forces, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei has gone on to say that their response will always be proportional to what America does.

US President Donald Trump responded to the retaliation by saying “All is well”. On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has congratulated Trump for acting swiftly, boldly and resolutely over Soleimani along with assuring that Israel stood firmly beside the US.

What does all this foretell? Chances of Iran targeting US and its allies in the Middle East region has gone up manifold. Saudi Arabia and Israel could be on the immediate radar. As Saudi Arabia is nearer Iran, and one of Iran’s most hated enemies, chances of war beginning with these two nations has now gone up. And, where do these two nations stand against each other?

• Iran has an indigenous defense industry, whereas Saudi Arabia imports all their military equipment from the US and Europe.
• Saudi Arabian terrain is mostly flat, whereas that of Iran is varied and heavily mountainous. It only means that Iranian ballistic missiles would do a lot more damage to Saudi Arabia than what even the superior Saudi Arabian air attacks would do to Iran.
• Iranian proxies – Hezbollah, Hamas and other Shia militias could move towards Saudi Arabia and cause a lot of damage during war.
• Unlike Saudi Arabia, Iran’s military is actually built for fighting wars. Saudi Arabia's military is intended more for internal dissent and suppression of domestic revolts against the royal family rather than the country as whole!

One is fully aware about Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq being the major oil exporting countries to the world. Just imagine, if the Americans and its allies abandon Saudi Arabia, and quit the Middle East region by withdrawing their troops; and let the two enemies - Iran and Saudi Arabia, come face-to-face! What a havoc it would create for the entire world economy.

As of now, the US considers itself to be in a ‘comfort zone’ being far away from the explosive Middle East region! But imagine again, if the European Union nations start raising their eye brows over Trumps actions or are pressurized by the large refugee population, and join hands with Russia and China! That could be even more dangerous – it could compel each and every country to take sides . . . .