Just as Rwanda was tying the loose ends as far as its security was concerned, alarm bells are ringing elsewhere and some powerful nations are a step away from going at each other’s throat. Up to now, they had been fighting proxy wars in foreign lands, each supporting the other’s enemy. So, yesterday when we woke up to the news that the US had confirmed that it had killed a very senior Iranian General during a drone strike in Baghdad, the goalposts had shifted. Just shortly before, the Turkish parliament had approved the deployment of its troops to prop up the UN-recognized Libyan government against a rebel General who is believed to be supported by Egypt and other Arab nations. All these proxy wars are sure to have a lasting effect. First, stock markets reacted in two different ways; while most were wary and dropped, oil prices climbed and shares of major military contractors – not surprising – saw an upsurge at the prospect of a major war. For oil, it was expected as production and transport routes are sure to be disrupted, but so will world markets. Are we prepared? In most cases, most of those who toy with war have either not been on the receiving end, or, once tried and had their fingers burnt and want to get even. But whatever the outcome, it will leave lasting scars. One can only hope that the Iran-US standoff is just sabre rattling and will stop at that. It is difficult to predict how the show will end but one can bet their last franc that the people up there are watching planning for any eventualities.
