The US president is literally threatening war crimes ("possibly [destroy] all desalinization plants!").
Is this not the point at which all countries interested in maintaining international rule of law should take action? If we're sanctioning Russia, why aren't we also sanctioning the US?
It's a horrible situation to be in. Many nations are highly dependent on US trade, tech, energy, finance/investment, and defense. The US also holds great power in international governance systems.
At what point do we choose to do what's right, instead of what's practical and easy?
The US will retaliate. It will hurt, both in pure economic terms and in quality of life for all people.
But if we wish to be principled, I don't see how we can wait until we are no longer dependent on the US in all sectors. The US is acting now, so surely we must react appropriately now, also?
If countries wish to have an international rules-based order, then the same standards must be applied to all countries. Even to countries we once thought of as our friends and allies.
This is in no way an indictment of all US citizens, many of whom are wonderful people.
Also, let me take this moment to point out that the current situation in Iran is not the only example of US crimes.
Even ignoring past crimes, the current embargo on Cuba should be reason enough to act, though it has received far less coverage than the actions in Iran.
https://bsky.app/profile/jasonhickel.bsky.social/post/3mhelj3ysxs2n
Oh, and the sanctions should also apply to #Israel. I focussed this thread on the US because of their massive power and the mutual dependency countries have with them that would cause such pain if sanctions were put in place.
Sanctioning Israel would be easy in comparison.
Brendan Jones
François @Jura