How dangerous is the India-Pakistan confrontation?
India has attacked targets in neighbouring Pakistan and the Pakistan-controlled part of the disputed Kashmir region. Official sources in New Delhi stress that only "terrorist infrastructure" was targeted, but Islamabad says 26 civilians were killed and has vowed to retaliate. This latest escalation in the long-standing conflict was prompted by a terrorist attack on tourists in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir.
Nuclear escalation possible
This conflict could easily spiral out of control, The Spectator warns:
“Both countries have significantly upgraded their military capabilities since their last stand-off in 2019. The two nuclear-armed neighbours have fought three wars - in 1948, 1965 and 1971 - and clashed numerous times since gaining independence. The Kashmir region, which is claimed by both nations, is a perennial flashpoint in relations. It is vital that calmer diplomatic voices prevail at this unpredictable and dangerous moment, doing everything possible to prevent this conflict from spiralling further out of control. The potential for this crisis to spiral into all-out war, potentially involving nuclear weapons, is real enough.”
Dawn of an era of instability
Blogger Kirill Shulika describes a global trend on Facebook:
“As far as India and Pakistan are concerned, we must understand that a large-scale process of destruction of the world order that emerged after the Cold War is underway. This process is not only limited to Europe but is happening all over the world. Look at where things are heading in Africa. ... So don't be surprised if all the hot spots flare up now, including on the Korean Peninsula. The era of global instability will leave no one untouched. ... Stability is gone, and turmoil has set in. A rather predictable and yet surprising turn of events.”