The world is in turmoil

The Netherlands [ENA] The World Is in Turmoil The morning of 28 February 2026 began with alarming news. The United States and Israel launched missile strikes on Iranian territory. In truth, developments had been moving in this direction for some time. A final deadline of 6 March 2026 had been set for a significant agreement between Washington and Tehran. However, the United States chose not to wait.

Reports broadcast on Dutch television suggested that President Trump did not coordinate the attack with Congress. According to the information available, there was also no formal agreement or prior consultation within the framework of the United Nations or NATO. Even so, such an escalation did not come as a complete surprise. Countries in the region were aware that tensions were rising and that a military scenario was possible.

For example, neighboring Azerbaijan has kept its land borders closed for years, and this alone carries a certain message. Iran’s attitude toward Azerbaijan is well known. For years Tehran has tried to present a friendly face toward Baku, yet many believe this friendliness has remained largely superficial. A significant part of the Azerbaijani people has lived within Iran’s borders for generations, and millions of people of Azerbaijani origin reside there today. The possible political and social consequences of this reality have long been a source of concern for Tehran. At the same time, Azerbaijan’s relations with both the United States and Israel are clear and open. Its particularly close ties with Israel have consistently troubled Iran.

If the conflict continues, it is unlikely that Azerbaijan will remain unaffected. A potential wave of refugees crossing from Iran into Azerbaijan appears to be a realistic possibility. The central question is whether events will go as far as regime change. If the Iranian leadership continues to resist and the United States remains determined to push for political transformation, the situation could grow even more complex. The region is currently experiencing one of the most tense periods in recent decades.

President Trump has called on the Iranian people to take control of their government, stating that once the United States completes its task, it will be up to them to assume power. This raises an important question: when will Washington consider its mission accomplished? Will it be when the current regime is replaced? Within Iranian society, two powerful emotions are emerging: fear and hope. Which will prevail? Naturally, many would want hope to win, for change to take place and for people to breathe more freely. Yet the experiences of other countries that have undergone similar upheavals make observers cautious about embracing easy optimism.

In her book Hard Choices, Hillary Clinton wrote that General Marshall, one of the key figures of the Second World War who served as both Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, understood that America’s security and prosperity depended on capable allies who shared its interests and engaged with its economy. More importantly, he believed that the United States possessed both the responsibility and the capacity to lead the world, and that new threats required new forms of leadership. This strategic mindset has influenced American policy for many years.

According to the latest reports, missile exchanges are still ongoing. The United States and Israel are targeting Iran, while Iran is striking Israel and certain American bases in other countries. How long will this confrontation continue? Will the Iranian regime fall, or could it survive if a compromise is reached? For now, these questions remain unanswered. I would like to conclude with words quoted by the thirty fifth President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, during his address to the United Nations in 1961. Referring to the philosopher Bertrand Russell, he said: Either humanity will put an end to war, or war will put an end to humanity.