New Zealand Listener

DRUMS OF WAR

As the world starts a new decade with extreme tensions between the US and Iran, the long post-World War II period of global peace looks to be under serious threat in a way almost comparable to the Bay of Pigs crisis. Some commentators are talking of open warfare between the two. Others say it is a continuation of the ongoing rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, each fighting for supremacy in the Muslim world. Former US President Barack Obama took an even-handed approach to the two nations, but Donald Trump has clearly sided with Saudi Arabia.

Iran, whose international supporters include

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