While Iran was making all efforts to get nukes to counter their arch rivals possession of one of the most lethal weapons of war that has ever been developed, they completely ignored the leverage they have in the Strait of Hormuz. This has proven to be more powerful and effective than the nuclear weapon that they have failed to develop and lost so much for. Iran’s economy has been decimated over the last couple of decades because of this quest. It took an unprovoked attack for them to discover the magnitude of the noose they hold around the global jugular of world trade. Over 20% of the global energy (petroleum, their products, and gas) and petrochemicals, such as fertilizers, are ferried through the Strait of Hormuz annually. Closing that strait creates panic everywhere, including in the corridors of their enemies.
The war in Ukraine has also shown how technology leverage can counter the onslaught of one of the most powerful militaries in the world.
Donald Trump has used every leverage America has to extract concessions, remove governments, force the hands of terrorists to bow, tilt trade deals in America's favor, and create an awareness of the danger of overdependence for its NATO allies.
Currently, Africa appears to be the weakest partner in any deal involving powerful countries. The unfortunate truth is that Africa has many levers that it can use to extract what it needs from any powerful partner. A few countries in Africa that have identified these leverages are using them to grow their economies. They are no longer losing at the negotiating table – they are getting credits at much lower rates, and they are getting deals at the quality you find among European sister nations. Rwanda is one such country. Burkina Faso is doing the same and Niger. Poor countries need to find their leverages – their value propositions – their competitive advantages to better themselves. The reality is that no good deal is going to come to any nation without them knowing their worth – the world is full of SHARKS… They will eat you alive if you don’t know your worth and demand to be treated based on your worth…
Comments
Post a Comment