Trumps Iran war raises fears of global conflict while allies stay silent and diplomacy collapses, writesMark Beeson.

U.S. PRESIDENTDONALD TRUMPis the most dangerous man in the world. Why are we supporting him?

Many people were concerned about what a second Trump presidency might look like, but its uncontroversial to claim that its much worse than even the gloomiest pessimists feared.

It has been plain for a long time that Trump has little regard for the truth and is determined to silenceindependent media. But the one thing his supporters and the world in general might have hoped for was that he wouldnt have gone back on hispromiseto not start unnecessary, ill-conceived wars, especially in the Middle East.

As the Iran conflict escalates, religious rhetoric from claims of divine missions to apocalyptic prophecy is increasingly shaping the language and politics of war.

And yet, not only has Trump launched an illegal war with Iran, which has already resulted in the deaths of thousands, including innocent schoolgirls, but he is also displaying a psychopathic delight in using Americas overwhelming military mightjust for fun.

Given that the assault on Iran is being conducted with or evenon behalf ofIsrael there is a breathtaking irony in the fact that Trump is displaying the same sort of indifference to human suffering that allowedindividual Nazisto take part in the final solution and the murder of six million Jews.

It is, of course, entirely possible that Trump doesnt really know whats going on given his increasingly obviouscognitive decline, but he has never exhibited much human empathy and is a compulsive liar and confabulator. These qualities arguably made him unfit to be a property developer, much less the most powerful man on Earth.

Given his famouslychild-like needfor attention and adulation, which his courtiers and cronies are only too willing to provide, there is absolutely no chance of him changing. On the contrary, hisbeliefthat God is proud of him ought to alarm ought to alarm friend and foe alike.

After all, this is a man with the capacity toblunderinto World War 3 without having any idea what hes doing. The complete absence of any plan or exitstrategyin the escalating conflict with Iran demonstrates that even the most apocalyptic of unforeseen consequences cannot be ruled out.

While an international economic crisis may not be the worst thing that could happen, for those of us fortunate enough to live in peaceful Australia it really ought to demonstrate that Trump is a threat to supposed friends and allies, as well as the innocent Iranians hepromisedto help.

If nothing else, Trumps behaviour should make the danger and folly of relying on someone quite so delusional and self-obsessed clear to even our most unthinking policymakers. Trump will be satisfied with nothing less than the completesupportand cooperation of allies, no matter how misguided or inhuman his policies may be.

Given the decades of uncritical fealty Australias leaders have displayed to the United States, it is no surprise that there has generally been an uncomfortable silence about our response to the latest American-led fiasco.

Penny Wongwrote:

Its worth remembering that Iran was attacked while trying to negotiate a new agreement to replace the one Trumptore up, a tactic that may have allowed the U.S. to decapitate Irans leadership but wont making resolving the conflict any easier. Truth, diplomacy and trustworthiness are clearly for losers. Might clearly does make right in Trump-world. This reality may help to explain why the Albanese government is keeping its collective head down.

Other leaders have not been quite so supine and gutless, however. German ChancellorFriedrich Merz, after fruitless attempts at ingratiating himself with Trump, unambiguously stated that the "government will not participate in this war". Moreover, Merz pointed out that Trumps war had nothing to do with NATO, which was a defensive alliance, not one designed for wars of aggression.

Trump responded in his usual fashion with threats and bluster, suggesting a failure to support his ill-conceived war would bevery badfor NATO. Although we have learned not expect truth or consistency when dealing with Trump, suggesting that the foundation of the Western alliance may be in jeopardy is hardly a minor threat. Trumps great friend Vladimir Putin must be delighted.

A disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could leave Australia facing fuel shortages within weeks, exposing just how fragile our energy security has become.

If our leaders are too unimaginative and cowardly to speak up in defence of international law, or to criticise unilateralism and the intensification of great power politics,civil societymust do what it can. The absence of the sort of activism and protests that characterised opposition to the equally ill-conceived and pointless Vietnam War is disappointing and revealing, however. Perhaps it takes 500 actual combat deaths and the prospect of being called-up to bring home the reality of war to Australians.

Or perhaps rising interest rates, the cost of filling up a monstrous SUV, or re-routing your European holiday might do the trick. Either way, its reassuring to know that President Trump thinks the war with Iran is going so well that he gives if15 out of 10. Nothing for our leaders to worry about after all.

Mark Beesonis an adjunct professor at the University of Technology Sydney and Griffith University. He was previously Professor of International Politics at the University of Western Australia.

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