After The Pause, After The War

Indrani Bagchi
Mar 29, 2026 | 20:04 IST

Iran can add to instability. But it can’t use Hormuz as blackmail forever. US has no good options left. Israel will face a harder Iranian regime. Gulf Arabs have to rebuild, reassess ties. India has to ask itself tough questions

We are entering the second, more dangerous phase of the current Gulf war – four weeks down, one more week of a “pause” to go. Let’s just say there are no good options left for anyone anymore.

Trump is amassing troops and carriers in the Gulf, while simultaneously signalling to allies, he won’t go for ground operations inside Iran. He’s being snarky about the Saudi ruler kissing his (Trump’s) body parts, while apparently paying heed to Saudi and UAE, who are urging him to “finish the job” in Iran. He has consigned Nato to the trash heap, and tossed in Starmer and Takaichi Sanae, for good measure.
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