The fact that the war has lasted for more than a few days without the Iranian regime capitulating, despite heavy losses, is being seen as a defeat and an embarrassment for the invaders, though at the same time, it still accomplishes the goal of pushing their domestic legal and political problems out of the headlines.
Trump and Netanyahu are the architects of the shipping collapse and surge in fossil fuel prices, triggering inflation. Meanwhile, the US had already slashed foreign assistance — including food aid donations and funding — meaning that there was already less assistance available for vulnerable populations before a single bomb was dropped.
The expansion of the war, with attacks now hitting oil and gas facilities, will also make its effects longer lasting, as production of these fuels and related commodities such as fertiliser will suffer for many years while the facilities are repaired.
Unfortunately, while Israelis may suffer the odd explosion as fallout from their leader’s regime-change misadventure, most Americans will only see a slight uptick in inflation, as opposed to millions of poor people in Africa and Asia who are about to see food prices shoot up – and even fuel for cooking may become unaffordable.
The fact that Trump doesn’t have an endgame in mind — nor a beginning or middle game, according to his critics — also means that there is no reliable way for countries or aid agencies to make contingency and relief plans. Instead, they must play it by ear while hoping against all historical evidence that Trump will walk back his mistake.