Russia and Iran Discuss New World Order: An Absurd Notion: And New Sanctions on Iran's Ghost Fleet and Companies

     I was rather disgusted when I saw reports of Putin meeting in Turkmenistan with Iran and other regional countries calling for a new world order to rival the West. The absurdity of these two rogue and criminal nations leading a new order in the world is dumbfounding. The idea does have slight possibilities if a country like China, or far less likely India got on board. The presidents of Iran, the newly elected Masoud Pezeshkian, and the president of Pakistan were present.  

“Putin told Pezeshkian that Moscow and Tehran’s positions on international events are often very close, according to Russian state news agency Tass.”

“We have many opportunities now, and we must help each other in our relationships," said Pezeshkian.

"Our principles and our positions in the international arena are similar to yours,” the Iranian president added.

Putin expressed interest in creating a new world order out of the Kremlin’s allies, a hodge podge of criminal and isolated states that would likely include Islamic terrorist-aligned regimes like Iran, abysmal totalitarian states like North Korea, and other despotic and illegitimate regimes like those in Syria, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Belarus. I’m sure they would like to expand such an idea to encompass the other BRICS nations, but that is quite unlikely.

     We must work against such ideas and try to convince other nations to stay away from Kremlin support of any kind. A democratic and free Russia and a democratic and free Iran may seem like far-off possibilities but many of their citizens would probably support it, especially if the regimes lose influence and control over their own citizens. It would also be a boon for the world, including economically. These two countries are deeply involved in many of the world’s biggest conflict problems: Russia for invading Ukraine relentlessly, threatening to invade other European and old Soviet bloc countries, meddling in countries around the world, aiding other horrible regimes, and as I’ve noted before, the list goes on and on. Iran and Russia became closer due to necessity after isolation and sanctions from the greater international community. They collaborate on military technology and weapons sales, sanctions-busting, and in other areas. Iran has been arming proxies and extremist Islamic militants like Hamas and Hezbollah for many years. Militantism has long been a problem around the world, whether religiously motivated or not. Russian weapons sales have helped the bad sides of many conflicts. Russia and Iran signed a $1.7 billion deal for Iran to produce drones designed to kill Ukrainians after lying about it and still claiming they are neutral in the war and support Ukrainian sovereignty. Iran’s VP told whoppers of implausible lies in recent interviews. It is similar to Russia's frequent lying. The notion that these countries can run some kind of world order is really quite a farce. Order is usually aligned with truth, but there is little truth in these countries’ statements and that is quite obvious to most observers. The Age of Soviet power is gone for good and these attempts at some kind of resurgence either through invasions or influence will be defeated – eventually – I hope.   

     Russia and Iran also share a deep animosity toward the U.S. and the greater West. Iran also has a deep animosity towards Israel. Many of Russia and Iran’s geopolitical activities and much of their military adventurism are motivated by this animosity. One might say they are obsessed with it.

     One might wonder how such a world order would work. Even their allies would not want to be in some Russo-centric scheme. While Russia does have some valuable natural resources, some technological advantages (like nuclear fuel), and a large nuclear arsenal, it is basically a small economy with a fairly small population. Its influence is already outsized and its poor behavior is well documented. There is no reason not to fully support a limitation of their influence. Putin is not smart like Trump says, but brutal, reckless, paranoid, and megalomaniacal. While he may be conniving and sometimes successful with schemes of influence, he is not smart. He is an abject failure. The Russian economy will eventually falter as the war machine gets worn down since there isn’t much to replace that. He allowed so many of his citizens to be killed in a senseless war of aggression. He lost for his country all of the considerable advantages of trade with Europe and the greater West. He is filled with illusions of some grand past that never was.

     I am also concerned with the continued prevalence around the world of Russian propaganda and sympathy to such propaganda that actually seems to exist in many places. It should not be so difficult to counter these sinister regimes, their obvious lies, and their cynical talking points, and yet it is difficult. Other countries that have been scorned in the past by the so-called West are often sympathetic. These include communist and socialist countries like Vietnam, Cuba, and Venezuela, African countries with colonial pasts, and other countries aided by the Russians in their conflicts like Syria.

     What a nice world it might be if the Russian, Iranian, and North Korean regimes were replaced with normal free and democratic regimes. Then we could focus more on better things for the world. Its perhaps not that Western-style democracies are better than other forms of government, but that countries with reasonable ideas and policies about justice, fairness, human rights, international laws, territorial sovereignty, and militarism would make for a much better future for all of us, especially those in conflict zones. To see these basically evil regime leaders meet up to discuss gaining influence and support for their respective tyrannical regimes is yucky.  

U.S. Announces New Sanctions on Iran's Ghost Fleet of Ships and Companies

      The U.S. announced new sanctions on Iran's ghost tankers delivering oil mainly to Asia. According to Newsweek:

"Iran's "ghost fleet" of ships and companies in the United Arab Emirates, Liberia and Hong Kong and other jurisdictions that allegedly obfuscate and transport Iranian oil for sale to buyers in Asia are now sanctioned."

"Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department designated a system of companies based in Suriname, India, Malaysia and Hong Kong for allegedly arranging for the sale and transport of petroleum and petroleum products from Iran."

     The sanctions were in response to the unsuccessful Iranian missile attack on Israel. Some are concerned about the effects on oil prices but they have so far been modest. If Israel targets Iranian oil facilities that could change. The Saudis also expressed that Iran's oil facilities should not be targeted. 

References:

 

'New world order'? Putin and Pezeshkian meet in person for first time in Ashgabat. Euronews, AP. October 11 2024. 'New world order'? Putin and Pezeshkian meet in person for first time in Ashgabat (msn.com)

US Announces New Sanctions on Iran's 'Ghost Fleet' of Ships and Companies, Newsweek,. October 11, 2024. US Announces New Sanctions on Iran's 'Ghost Fleet' of Ships and Companies - Newsweek