By Justice Markandey Katju
After the Second World War which ended on 1945 two important developments took place in the world :
(1) Colonialism was transformed into neo-colonialism
(2) A new balance of power was created in the world
Let me explain
Regarding the first, the imperialist countries realized that they could not continue with direct rule i.e. having their Viceroys, armies, civil servants etc in the colonial countries, since a spirit of nationalism and patriotism had arisen in the peoples of the colonies. This resulted in independence struggles e.g. in India, Algeria, Vietnam etc, which often took on a violent form e.g. by guerrilla wars, as in China, Algeria, Vietnam, etc.
Consequently, the imperialist powers shifted their policy from direct to indirect rule, by formally granting 'independence' to the colonies and withdrawing their armies and colonial rulers, but retaining their economic interests in covert forms, which they did by installing their local agents as their puppets, who would do their bidding.
Thus, in Middle Eastern countries e.g. in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, etc they installed rulers who were their puppets, who would ensure that their economic interests would remain largely untouched, and the former colonies remained, in a covert form, as markets and sources of cheap raw materials and cheap labour, which they were as colonies. The same happened in other Asian and African countries ( Latin America was a US neo-colony since the time of the Monroe Doctrine and the subsequent Big Brother policy ).
Attempts by Latin American countries to get real independence e.g. in Chile, Guatemala, Nicaragua etc, and lately Venezuela, were crushed by the US government, by either sending their troops, or using their local agents. Middle Eastern rulers like Saddam Husain in Iraq, and Bashar Asad in Syria, who tried to make their countries really independent, were toppled by the Western countries, who installed their puppets instead.
Regarding the second development, the powerful nations e.g. USA, USSR, UK, France etc created the United Nations, which while granting formal membership to all countries of the world in the General Assembly with equal vote ( thus giving the impression that the UN looked after the interests of all countries ), gave the real power in the UN to the Security Council, whose permanent members, having veto power, were the powerful countries alone ( the People's Republic of China, too, became its member in 1971 when it had become too powerful and could no longer be kept out ).
This represented a new balance of power created after the Second World War among the powerful nations, who did not want to fight a direct war among themselves after the invention of nuclear weapons, as that could lead to mutual destruction ( though they fought proxy wars ), and so wanted a body which could keep peace among them. But at the same times the powerful nations wanted to police the underdeveloped countries and keep them under subjugation.
This was the situation prevailing until the breakout of the US-Iran war on 28th February when the US-Israeli forces launched a brutal, unprovoked sneak attack on Iran ( even when negotiations between the Americans and the Iranians were going on in Geneva ).
While other Middle Eastern countries all had local US puppets as their rulers, Iran proved to be an exception, cocking a snook at the Americans. The aim of the US government was therefore to swiftly bring about a regime change in Iran ( as it did recently in Venezuela ), and install a pro-US puppet government there.
This plan has completely backfired, and the war is now in its sixth week, with no end in sight. Iran is firing missiles and drones at Israel and US bases and assets unabatedly, and has even downed many US planes
In my articles , I have pointed out the historical importance of the US-Iran war
Iran's brave, undaunted resistance against US-Israeli aggression has inspired all underdeveloped nations to challenge Western dominance, serving as a turning point in global power dynamics and the fight against economic servitude.
The brave Iranians have said that they will prefer to die rather than become a US neo-colony, and that means that the US forces will have to kill all 93 million Iranians. Even if 1 Iranian remains alive, the war will continue.
The main struggle in the 21st century is the struggle between the underdeveloped countries to rapidly industrialise and modernise, for only then can they hope to escape from grinding and massive poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, lack of proper healthcare, etc. However, the developed countries which will oppose this transformation tooth and nail, as explained below :
Which country will give the leadership to the underdeveloped countries in this historical struggle ?
At one time, many people thought that it was China, which had made its revolution in 1949, would be that country
But that changed altogether when China forgot its revolutionary role and became only interested in developing itself, forgetting and betraying the underdeveloped countries.
Later, some people thought it was India which would be that leader
But now India seems to have gone over to the American camp, and so can no longer be that leader.
The US-Iran war has now demonstrated that it is Iran which has refused to surrender before the most powerful military nation in the world. Despite the brutal, unprovoked US-Israeli aggression, Iran is willing to make tremendous sacrifices and go to any extent to preserve its independence. Hence, Iran will be that leader.
Iran's fight against the aggressors reminds one of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's historical speech in the House of Commons on 4th June 1940, while Britain stood alone in the world facing the looming danger of German invasion :
'' We shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.
By their lion-hearted, fearless, heroic and valiant fight, the Iranians have inspired the peoples of all underdeveloped countries, and shown them the way for their own emancipation from the yolk of the powerful countries. Already, people in many Middle Eastern countries, e.g. Hezbollah, Houthis, Iraqis, etc have started fighting for the Iranians against the US aggressors. More countries may follow suit.
By their courageous battle against fearful odds, the Iranians are not only preserving their own independence, they are upsetting the world order established by the powerful nations after the Second World War ( as outlined above ), which was aimed at continuing exploitation and loot of the underdeveloped countries, in covert forms, as neo-colonies
The Iranians have earned the honour of being the leader of the underdeveloped countries in their struggle to become developed ones, and give their people decent lives.
Hats off to them !
(Justice Markandey Katju is a former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, and former Chairman of the Press Council of India. The views expressed are his own.)
