One of the most striking byproducts or security expositions of the US–Israeli attack on Iran is the utter failure of the United States to ensure the protection of Arab countries. In reality, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states were left practically exposed during Iran’s sustained attacks on US military installations across the region. Ironically, the US military struggled to defend even its own bases and defensive infrastructure, let alone safeguard broader Arab interests.

It is important to note that these Arab states themselves were not the direct targets of Iranian strikes. Rather, US military installations located within these countries became legitimate targets, as they were used to launch attacks against Iran.

This Israeli-driven and unprovoked war led by the US demonstrates that Washington is unable to guarantee the security of Arab nations. Yet, paradoxically, the US President has repeatedly suggested that Arab countries must bear the financial burden of this illegal and widely criticised war.

The attack on Iran, clearly undertaken at the insistence of Israeli leadership, appears aimed at weakening the last major regional power capable of counterbalancing Israeli dominance.

This conflict does not appear accidental. Instead, it reflects a broader strategic vision of greater Israel. In 2001, former NATO commander General Wesley Clark revealed that a plan existed within US military circles to destroy seven Muslim-majority countries.

Iraq was attacked first, followed by actions involving Syria, Libya, and others, with Iran among those long considered strategic targets.

Over the years, the global community, including Arab nations, has largely observed these alarming developments. Countries identified within this strategic framework have been successively destabilised or destroyed, often without significant international opposition.

The repeated use of “terrorism” labels to justify military interventions has raised serious ethical and legal concerns, particularly given the heavy toll on civilian populations.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza represents another grim chapter. With strong financial and military backing from the United States and its allies, Israel’s military actions have drawn widespread criticism.

Nevertheless, much of the Western world and its mainstream media have remained largely silent, often framing the situation through the lens of Israel’s “right to exist” and “self-defence” to turn a blind eye on the real mass murder and total destruction of Gaza and gradual occupation of West Bank by illegal settlement of foreign Jews.

Had the targeted countries acted collectively, the trajectory of events might have been different. The lack of unified response from Iraq to Libya, and from Syria to Iran has contributed to a pattern of vulnerability and fragmentation across the region.

A well-known allegory, the story of “three cows and a vicious lion” aptly illustrates this dynamic.

A hungry lion was unable to eat any of the three red, white and back cows living in a forest because they were strong when together. So, the lion planned and spoke to the red and black cows that the “white” cow is highly visible from far away, so it would bring danger to them if it were in the company of you.

The red and black cows found the lion’s ‘intelligence’ logical, and for their long-term safety they left the white cow alone for the lion to eat it. Months later, the lion came to the red cow and told that the colour of black cow is different from you and me, we have similar colour.

He convinced the red cow to abandon the back cow so that they could live in peace together. So, the lion killed the back cow for his dinner when it was alone. Weeks later, the lion killed his final target, the red cow as it was alone and there was no one left to defend him. Do you see any similarity of what Israel is doing with the Arab states?

The lesson is clear; disunity surely weakens and leads to disaster.

Looking ahead, concerns are being raised about the potential expansion of conflict. If current trends persist, other regional powers could become future targets. This underscores the urgency for greater cooperation among Arab and Muslim-majority nations.

The extensive US military presence across the Middle East, including bases in Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Iraq has long been justified in terms of regional security and stability.

However, recent developments raise critical questions about the effectiveness and purpose of these installations, especially given the substantial financial contributions made by host nations. Iran very successfuly attacked seventeen of these military bases and destroyed the infrutructure and hardware without any significant defence from the US side.

The war on Iran also raises broader geopolitical and ethical questions. At the time of escalation, Iran was reportedly engaged in negotiations regarding its nuclear programme under international oversight.

This leads to an important question frequently debated in global forums: why are certain countries permitted to possess nuclear weapons while others are not? More fundamentally, what constitutes the real threat to regional and global peace?

Meanwhile, ongoing tensions have contributed to disruptions in global trade, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of wider economic consequences. The urgency of diplomatic engagement and conflict resolution has never been greater.

Ultimately, Middle Eastern countries may need to reassess their security strategies. Dependence on external powers has not necessarily guaranteed protection. A more sustainable approach could lie in regional cooperation, self-reliance, and investment in domestic resilience.

After the failure of the peace talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad, the Israeli government is undermining any attempt to stop the war. They are adding fuel to the furnace by attacking Lebanon despite global criticism.

Gradually, the leading western nations are coming to understand that arrogant Israel is threatening the global peace by continuing to attack counties in the region while many nations are trying to stop US and Iran war.

The current situation presents both a warning and an opportunity for reflection, realignment, and the pursuit of lasting self-determination and regional peace.