Is Hamas’s sudden attack on Israel another 9/II?
By Nusrat Mirza
The attack on the land of Israel on October 7, 2023, resulted in the tragic loss of several soldiers and the capture of more than 100 Israeli soldiers, including one general and a few commanders, which sent shockwaves across the globe. It appeared as if major intelligence agencies, including Mossad, the USA’s CIA, and Britain’s M1-6, had ceased to function, given the magnitude of the attack that occurred without any prior indication.
This raised suspicions that this incident might be akin to a second 9/11, fueling the belief that the Greater Israel project was advancing through this assault, especially as Israel contemplated a significant ground attack, including the possibility of a severe strike on Gaza.
The Greater Israel Plan, also known as the Colonel Peter Rolf Plan or the Joe Biden Plan, was originally conceptualized by Israeli diplomat Yinon in 1983. This plan entails changing the borders of the entire Middle East, and the map for it was designed by Colonel Peter Ralph. The geographical scope of this plan includes Iran and Pakistan.
According to this plan, Israel is intended to be the largest country in the Middle East, and the borders of all other Middle Eastern nations would be altered, resulting in their territorial reduction. Consequently, the unrest in Iran’s Sistan region has intensified, and disturbances are also escalating in Pakistan’s Baluchistan. A recent incident, wherein a dozen more soldiers were martyred, serves as a manifestation of these tensions.
More importantly, Iran is reported to have enriched uranium to 83%, and at 93%, it can produce an atomic bomb. In this context, the unanimous decision of the West is that it will not allow Iran to become a nuclear-armed country. Pakistan, being a nuclear power, is perceived as a threat by Israel. Consequently, institutions in many countries, including India and Israel, are actively involved in destabilizing Pakistan.
On November 3, 2023, an incident occurred in Dera Ismail Khan, followed by an attack on Mianwali Airbase station on November 4. Despite all nine terrorists being killed by commandos, it is noteworthy that news of this attack was circulating in India on November 3, 2023, a day before the actual incident occurred.
Why is Pakistan being destabilized? There are several reasons for this. One is to keep Pakistan occupied internally, while the other is to ensure that, in the event of American-Israeli intervention in Iran, Pakistan, being a neighboring country, is also affected. A robust Pakistani military has the potential to alter the entire strategic landscape for the USA in South Asia. Consequently, there is a concerted effort to prevent Pakistan from becoming a factor in such scenarios.
To keep Pakistan internally preoccupied, incidents of terrorism are being deliberately increased. If this tactic proves ineffective, adversaries have alternative options, such as escalating tensions on both the western and eastern borders. The eastern border can be provoked at any time, with or without justification. However, the western border issue was initiated by Pakistan, despite having valid reasons behind it. Nevertheless, this has strained the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistan has signaled its preparedness by conducting missile tests, including the Ababil and Ghori tests, as well as testing Fateh One and Fateh 2 rockets earlier. Though, limited information about these tests has extended to the people of Pakistan but these exercises have significantly enhanced Pakistan’s defense capabilities. Additionally, Lt. General (R) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, advisor to Pakistan’s National Command Authority (NCA), made a clear statement during a seminar at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in Islamabad on May 24, 2023.
He asserted that Pakistan possesses full-spectrum Nuclear Deterrence capability, and all of India’s nuclear assets are within the reach of Pakistani missiles. Gen. Kidwai emphasized that there is no hiding place for India’s strategic weapons in the presence of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. Behind Gen. Kidwai’s statement lies the revelation that Pakistan’s Shaheen III ballistic missile has a range of 2750 km.
If launched from South Punjab, it could neutralize India’s nuclear weapons in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These islands, where India’s nuclear assets are safeguarded, were considered out of Pakistan’s reach. However, Shaheen III has surpassed this safety barrier. Further investigation, involving discussions with several nuclear scientists, uncovered that the speed of Shaheen III is 24 times faster than the speed of sound.
This makes it highly effective, potentially rendering defense systems ineffective in preventing its target destruction. Importantly, Shaheen III is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear payloads. Another formidable missile in Pakistan’s possession is the Nasr tactical missile, capable of striking targets within a range of 70 km and carrying either conventional or nuclear warheads.
As stated by Gen. Kidwai on May 24, 2023, “Pakistan possesses the full spectrum of nuclear weapons in three categories: Strategic, operational, and tactical, with complete coverage of the vast Indian landmass and its outlying territories” This missile has effectively neutralized the Indian Cold Start doctrine. Consequently, it has been asserted that the area from 0 km to 2750 km falls within our target range.
Then there is Ababeel, which can launch several missiles in multiple directions. If a large number of missiles are fired in different directions, no defense system can stop them. On top of all these missiles, the Babur missile is capable of a second strike from sea, land, or air, serving as a deterrent against enemy attacks. However, if someone becomes irrational and self-deluded, engaging in reckless ventures, they risk losing their existence in the counterattack.
This signals a grave situation. November, December 2023, and the entirety of 2024 are looming as potential war-ridden periods due to scheduled elections in the USA, India, and Pakistan. The complexity intensifies as the Americans deploy two fleets, and British and French ships encircle the Middle East, evoking a disturbing and ominous atmosphere.
The gravity of the situation is further heightened by Russia’s testing of a nuclear torpedo. The global landscape is stirred as the United States faces challenges to its global supremacy from Russia and China. In response, the U.S. aims to reclaim its dominance by potentially winning a world war, indifferent to the potential devastation and humanitarian toll. The United States has repeatedly expressed its commitment to restore global hegemony at any cost, a stance it continues to actively pursue.
Pakistan must thoroughly examine this situation and make decisions accordingly. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is encircling Pakistan, creating unrest in Baluchistan and Sistan, and rendering the ports of Gwadar and Chabahar unusable. Additionally, in Afghanistan, the US has left a significant arsenal of modern weapons under a secret agreement with the Taliban, including tanks, helicopters, and warplanes. The potential targets for this armament need careful consideration.
Upon reevaluation, it becomes evident that Pakistan is grappling with an economic crisis and is subjected to a hybrid war, facing threats from both its western and eastern borders. The nation is experiencing a deliberate weakening, with efforts to undermine its authority and erode its international role. Previously, Pakistan served as a mediator between Iran and Saudi Arabia, but China has now assumed that role. While Gulf countries once readily assisted Pakistan, they now support India under the pressure of the USA. Due to American pressure or perceived weakness, several friendly nations are inclined toward India, and Pakistan’s influence, as a nuclear power, has weakened. Establishing a sphere of influence should have been a priority, which unfortunately has not been achieved.
However, there is still potential for positive action to navigate through these challenging times and regain influence. It is crucial to develop and implement strategies to overcome the current difficulties and restore Pakistan’s standing on the international stage.
The world is currently in turmoil, witnessing shifts in alliances and emerging geopolitical dynamics. Unsettled regions are actively working to reinforce weakened alliances. Initially leaning towards neutrality in potential conflicts involving the US, Russia, or China, Europe now finds itself involved in the Ukraine war due to US influence.
This pattern is reminiscent of the post-9/11 era when Europe was drawn into the battlefield in Afghanistan. During that time, the US aimed to contain China, monitor China’s expansion, Russia’s growing regional connections, and other rivals like Iran. Additionally, there were plans to establish Pakistan as a permanent ally to fulfill these objectives and promote US hegemony.
The escalation of tensions between Israel and Hamas has led to rallies against Israel in both Europe and the USA. Divergent opinions within Europe and the USA regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict are evident. While protests against Israel are prevalent, the United States appears inclined to take action against Muslims.
There are indications that the US might consider a mass migration program to repatriate Muslims to their home countries. This stance suggests collaborative efforts between the USA and Israel to achieve their goals, which include removing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and addressing challenges to their global hegemony.
The author is Chief Editor of the Monthly Interaction.