This archive report was first published on 9 January 2020.
US President Donald Trump's cowboy tenancy in the White House poses a significant threat to world peace. His belligerent behavior and disregard for other nations' feelings have become a hallmark of his presidency.
Since taking office, Trump has been known for picking fights with almost every country, both domestically and internationally. His actions have led to the House of Representatives impeaching him, and his fate now lies with the US Senate.
Trump's aggressive stance has intimidated many world leaders, but he met his match in North Korea's Kim Jong-Un. Despite Trump's bravado, he backed down in the face of Kim's capabilities.
The end of the Cold War in the 1980s and the breakup of the USSR in 1991 left the US as the world's sole superpower. However, this has led to the US assuming the role of the world's policeman, deciding what other countries should do, how, and when.
The US has become averse to other countries building weapons, especially chemical and nuclear ones. This was evident in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which was based on the false claim that Iraq had stockpiled weapons of mass destruction.
Recently, US forces killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, which has led to Iran vowing to avenge his death. The US has responded by flying 52 F-35A stealth fighters in a show of might, which is symbolic of the 52 US hostages held by Iranian students in 1979.
Iran's best option is to use the 'sting of the flea' strategy, which involves sneaking in the issue of religion and weaving a narrative of America invading Islam and Muslims. This could make the situation tricky, especially if American citizens, companies, and army bases become targets for Iranian/Islamic mercenaries.
However, this strategy could also hurt both the US and its close allies like Kenya and Israel. The US has military bases in Kenya that could provide target practice for Iranian mercenaries, and the 1998 twin bombing of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania is a case in point.
Truth be told, the US is as rogue as Iran is. Both countries thrive on exporting terrorism in the compound sense of the word. US exploits in at least 84 countries, including Vietnam, Iraq, Libya, and Iran, are acts of terrorism.
The US should stop assuming the high moral ground and appreciate that other countries have an entitlement to their standpoints. A cutback in oil production and a total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could have devastating effects on the global economy, including Kenya's fragile economy.
