The ‘excursionists’ in the US-Israel war with Iran
In a recent interview, United States President Donald Trump described the Iran war as “a little excursion.” It’s a subtle jab at the free world about the intensity and impact of the war he initiated.
His pronouncement reminded me of an element in the world of “Final Fantasy,” the popular role-playing video game series, called a side quest—a task meant to add some spice to the journey. In the real world, some analysts say it’s a move to satisfy the cravings of those who funded the president’s recent campaign.
To supporters of the late supreme leader, it was an insult; to the loyal “Make America Great Again” supporters, it was a demonstration of Trump’s leadership skills aimed at eliminating American enemies.
How easy it is to slaughter the Top 40 leaders of a foreign nation and wave the nuclear bomb flag in everyone’s minds! Is that what power, influence, and leadership look like? Only history will be the judge.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, Vice President Sara Duterte criticized the Marcos administration’s handling of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. She suggested: 1. That migrant workers in the Middle East board planes, similar to what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic years, for safety and survival; 2. That a committee is formed to monitor oil prices, fares, and other basic goods.
Regarding the first point, the region is considered a no-fly combat zone. While the Philippines is actively working to arrange chartered flights to repatriate Filipino workers from the Middle East, the entire operation faces delays due to closed airspace, canceled commercial flights, and war zones. During COVID-19, the threat of drone attacks on chartered planes was not a concern.
On the second point, existing agencies are already tasked with this. The National Price Coordinating Council, led by the secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, local price councils, and task forces from the Department of Energy are actively monitoring prices and cracking down on hoarding.
President Marcos must use the current climate to prove to the Filipino people his caliber as a leader, strategist, and thinker. Enough of the senseless promises of going after the corrupt players in government with nothing to show for them after months of waiting. Those who oppose him will do everything in their power to blame him for the dismal state of the economy, the rising oil prices, the low performance of the peso against the dollar, and much more.
This war is a litmus test of his character. He must rise to the occasion and have an open mind to the best ideas on the horizon. The lobbying for the nonpermanent seat on the United Nations Security Council is a pleasant signal in championing truth, justice, and peace on the world stage.
There are no true victors in war. People’s lives are on the line. But history will remember the excursionists—whether small or not; yes, fantastical or not.
Benre J. Zenarosa,
zenarosabenre@gmail.com
