Wars that are slowly being given a religious bent – mainly due failures of achieving stated objective thus far – waged by those who understand/practice precious little in the way of basic religion/faith. This instability coupled by the one involving consequential states in the region with fragile economies that are likely to blow up due to economic & political strains will likely open many other fronts for this conflict. This conflict (not unlike the Afghanistan catastrophe) demonstrates in no uncertain terms that military firepower – the goto approach for the western alliance in many past conflicts – has lost its edge not just due to the emergence of new forms of combat but also due geographical constraints, and the drag on economies and global supply chains. Finally let me suggest clearly/unequivocally that these are choices not only by states waging wars but by states standing on the sideline doing precious little to stop the mess; so yes these sitting “ducks” that make no effort to stop it through their own leverage (some even supporting it in terms of basis and/or military engagement due to a flawed interpretation of “self defense”) are equally accountable for the mess as well as the damages that are racking up from it-a case to be made. But irrespective of all the above I would suggest that indisputably corrupt leaders are leading us all back to the dark days of religious wars or at the very least that crack has been opened/revealed waiting to be exploited by other unscrupulous leaders and orchestrated by others.
I can only hope I’m proven wrong.