Theatre of the Absurd

“US is importing diesel from Russia,” screamed the headline, ironically the ink on the declaration of 100% tariffs on other countries importing oil from Russia has not even dried yet. Trump’s duplicity and hypocrisy has absolutely no limits. US is at war with Iran, Russia is supporting Iran, which in turn is at war with Ukraine, which is being supported by US, but US is buying diesel and Uranium from Russia, India meanwhile buys Russian crude, refines it and  exports it to Ukraine itself. This is a bugger’s muddle, where no country can be sure as to which side it stands barring China, who is importing Iranian oil at a discounted price. In the bygone era, there were clear groupings, Axis   and Allied powers, NATO and Warsaw Pact. 

This whole drama being unfolded appears crazy, with no logic, rationality or rules.  The recent diktat on the visa rules effecting thousands of immigrants practically shutting the door for any hopes of permanent residence is another example of cutting of your nose to spite the face. With such restrictions on employment  opportunities post their graduation from American Universities, they will be left with no choice but to pursue their fortunes elsewhere. The academia will suffer no doubt, but more importantly, with number of students dwindling, the revenue stream for these institutions itself will get choked. The challenges which US is facing from Chinese tech surge needs the best and brightest minds, but with these kind of whimsical  policies, they appear to have thrown in the towel even without a fight. Having been made to eat a humble pie, with the denial of  Rare Earth minerals to the US by China, he realised that he can’t bully or browbeat the Dragon into submission. He did what all bullies do, when challenged, give in. No wonder he rolled out the red carpet for Xi Jin Ping during his recent tour expecting to get some assurances. Obviously he was disappointed as Xi refused to tango leading to no consensus on any of the major issues including the nomenclature of Artificial Intelligence or Super Intelligence. 

 The latest is his heartburn on being denied the Nobel Peace Prize again this year. Imagine he has the cheek to stake his claim, despite being embroiled in the unprovoked Iran war himself. If this was not absurd, it would at least bring comic relief to the world.  The world is on a roller coaster with him around, you never know which way are we headed, but irrespective of the direction, it is downward spiral for sure. His tariff regime has been overturned by the US Supreme Court and so will  many of his other directives, as they are neither sound legally nor are they practical but his MAGA supporters will be pleased with their boss for having shown the usurpers their place. He comes out with such harebrained ideas essentially playing to the gallery, with no long term vision or plans. His personal fortune keeps multiplying that is all that matters. 

Contrary to the declarations of US and India being natural partners as the oldest and the largest democracies, it appears US befriended India with just one basic aim ‘to keep China in check’. However, that did not fructify, as China’s march continues unabated and India despite its impressive growth story is still miles away from being a global force to reckon with, in comparison to the big two. Having realised this, Trump administration did what the Americans have always been known to practice, dump India and befriend China and also its old proxy Pakistan.  It once again goes on to prove that old maxim, “There are no permanent friends or enemies in global matters, the only thing permanent are the “interests”  in international diplomacy.” 

This theatre of the absurd which is being played out in the international arena, continues with no signs of curtains in the near future. Global geopolitics is in a churn, a Samudra Manthan of sorts, except that there are no clear cut ‘Devas’ and ‘Asuras’ and one is not sure whether any nectar will emerge; poison of inflation, sanctions, supply chain disruptions, energy crisis the first of the byproducts of the churning is available in plenty and unfortunately for humankind there is no Shiva to consume it to save the world.