The Russian invasion of Ukraine in March 2022 was President Putin's war of choice. The current attack on Iran by Israel and the United States is a war of choice by Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump - their war, their choice. The build-up to both wars was very similar. Russian forces massing on the border of Ukraine and American forces massing in the Middle East. President Putin, President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu have much in common. All three are land grabbers and all three worship at the altar of power. "Might is right" is their motto. There is one difference between the two Presidents - President Putin never portrayed himself as a man of peace whereas President Trump fantasises about winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Under international law, there is no legal basis for this war in Iran. The Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, was correct when he said that a rupture has taken place in the international order. Benjamin Netanyahu's life-long political ambition was a final showdown with Iran; he now has his wish. It is also obvious that American policy in the Middle East is largely controlled by Israel. The US decision to wage war on Iran was very much an Israeli decision. US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, clearly indicated that was so in his first comments on the war. As regards Israel and Iran, America would do well to remember the wise words of their first President, George Washington, in his 1796 farewell address to the American people when he said, "The nation which indulges towards another a habitual hatred or a habitual fondness is in some degree a slave." Ukraine and the Middle East also highlight what Freud called the death drive. There are leaders of countries and of military and political organisations who are wedded to and take pleasure in aggression, destruction and killing. Of course, in any war, the innocent will be among the first victims. In the first 24 hours, more than 150 primary school girls and their teachers were killed by a bomb. The 2015 nuclear deal with Iran was not perfect but was working. Under pressure from Israel and Saudi Arabia, President Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018 and imposed massive sanctions on Iran. During his Presidency, President Biden was unable to restore the original deal. In October 2025, Iran formally announced the termination of the agreement. President Trump's recent negotiations on a new deal with Iran were largely a smokescreen for preparations for war. The dogs of war are once again unleashed in the Middle East. The only certainties are destruction and the killing, maiming and displacement of people on a massive scale. Western intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq brought only chaos and suffering and the outcome in Iran is likely to be the same. The war with Iran will cause a new wave of refugees into neighbouring countries but also into Europe. The Islamic Republic of Iran has been a violent oppressor at home and supporter and facilitator of terrorist organisations cross the Middle East. While the main focus is on Iran and its neighbours, Israel has seized the opportunity to attack and invade Lebanon, bombing at will and displacing tens of thousands of people, all while Israeli settler terror groups, fully supported by the Israeli security forces, continue a policy of creeping annexation of the West Bank. The Bible says Israel shall be a blessing to all the peoples of the Earth. The question for Israelis today is whether Israel is a blessing or a curse for the Palestinian people, Lebanon, Syria and Iran. The fact that Benjamin Netanyahu is facing corruption charges and an election this year is a relevant factor. President Trump also faces a verdict on his Presidency in the November mid-term elections. Being a wartime politician can often bolster public support. We see how the consequences of war in the Middle East are not confined to the Middle East. The flow of energy around the world has been disrupted and price rises and inflation will follow. We in Ireland need to look at our own defence and security. Our geographical location has protected us and we have been protected to a great extent by the NATO alliance. Our membership of the EU is central to Ireland's well-being, prosperity and security. As a mature democracy, we must be prepared to protect the security and values of the democracies in Europe. As a matter of urgency, we should have a serious engagement with farming organisations and food producers on improving food security. We are dangerously dependent on imports for many basic foodstuffs such as flour, fruit, vegetables, sugar and many other products. We need a much stronger emphasis on growing our own food. I welcome the decision by the Minister for agriculture to support the building of new large commercial flour mills; growing the wheat must be the next step. Likewise, we have not done enough on wind energy. We should have been able to fast-track the delivery of wind energy at sea. We are so dependent on imports of oil and gas, and when a war breaks out in no matter what part of the world, it immediately affects us. We need to plan forward. It is important to thank all of the staff in the Department of foreign affairs and our security forces for the work they are doing, and everyone assisting those who are trying to come home and are stuck in the Middle East. I thank them for their work and their dedication and commitment over the past three days.

Sentiment score: -0.04