# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Next in line?" by F.S. Aijazuddin, Published in Dawn on June 19th, 2025:* The article explores the dangerous trajectory of global geopolitics, focusing on the *United States*' addiction to warfare and the escalating *Israel-Iran conflict* that threatens to trigger *World War III*. The author notes that the *US army* has faced numerous enemies over its *250-year history*, including *Germany*, *USSR*, *Vietnam*, *Iraq*, *Afghanistan*, and now *China*, describing America as "addicted to war" and getting "high on hostility." The piece examines the *India-Pakistan relationship*, describing it as being in the "last quartile of their *Hundred Years War*" - a *77-year conflict* that would have been a "diamond anniversary" if they were married, but instead represents a "reluctant pairing fomented by suspicion and sustained by state-sponsored hate." The author reminisces about a *pre-Modi India* when "borders were lines not barriers" and questions why *Indian media* has become "irrationally bellicose," suggesting India might be imitating its ally *Israel* by using "covert terrorist attacks within Pakistan" to periodically "mow the grass." The article highlights the *Israel-Iran war* that escalated during the past week, referencing the *2023 book "Target Tehran"* by *Yonah J. Bob* and *Ilan Evyatar*, which predicted this conflict with a specific timeline, stating that *Israel* might strike *Iran* before *October 2025* if Iran develops nuclear weapons. Under *Donald Trump*'s presidency, unlike *Joe Biden* and *Barack Obama* who acted as brakes on Israel, Trump is described as "unashamedly Israel's engine." The article discusses *nuclear proliferation*, citing *Henry Kissinger*'s *1957 prediction* in "*Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy*" that within 15 years, many secondary states would possess nuclear weapons - a prediction that materialized with *India*, *Pakistan*, *North Korea*, and *Israel* going nuclear. Israel's policy of preventing "radical" Muslim countries from going nuclear is described through a menu metaphor: the "appetiser" was *Iraq* (*1981 nuclear reactor destruction* near *Baghdad*), the "main course" is *Iran*, and "for dessert, Israel has selected *Pakistan*." The author notes that *Islamabad* is *3,300 kilometers* from *Tel Aviv*, closer than the *3,800km* distance to *Beijing*, emphasizing that *China* and *Pakistan* are "adjacent allies with umbilical interests." The piece warns that the world is "too dangerously close to *World War III*" for the first time since *1945*, comparing the current situation to *World War I* (*1914-18*) which resulted in *16 million deaths* (*9 million military*, *7 million civilians*). The article concludes ominously, noting that immediately before attacking Iran on "*Friday the 13th*," *Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu* called *Indian PM Modi*, wondering whether Netanyahu suggested Modi should "take to gardening again and use his scythe to mow our grass." # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: The article warns of an impending *World War III* as the *Israel-Iran conflict* escalates under *Trump*'s presidency. The *US* is described as "addicted to war," while *India-Pakistan* remain in their "*Hundred Years War*" with *pre-Modi nostalgia* fading. *Israel* follows a nuclear prevention policy: destroyed *Iraq*'s reactor (*1981*), now targets *Iran*, and has "*Pakistan*" for dessert. *Netanyahu*'s call to *Modi* before attacking *Iran* raises concerns about *India* potentially targeting *Pakistan* next, imitating *Israel*'s "mow the grass" strategy. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Diplomatic De-escalation* Initiate immediate *ceasefire negotiations* between *Israel* and *Iran* through *UN mediation* and *international pressure*. ## *2. Nuclear Non-Proliferation* Strengthen *IAEA monitoring* and *NPT compliance* to prevent further nuclear weapons development in the region. ## *3. India-Pakistan Dialogue* Resume *bilateral talks* between *India* and *Pakistan* to address the "*Hundred Years War*" through *confidence-building measures*. ## *4. US Policy Restraint* Encourage *American leadership* to act as a "brake" on *Israeli aggression* rather than being an "engine" for conflict. ## *5. Regional Peace Framework* Establish a *South Asian* and *Middle Eastern peace framework* involving major powers like *China*, *Russia*, and *EU*. ## *6. Media Responsibility* Counter *bellicose media narratives* in *India* and promote *balanced journalism* to reduce public hostility. ## *7. Economic Interdependence* Promote *trade relationships* and *economic cooperation* to create stakes in regional peace and stability. ## *8. International Monitoring* Deploy *UN peacekeeping forces* and *international observers* to monitor ceasefire agreements and prevent violations. ## *9. Nuclear Disarmament* Initiate *gradual nuclear disarmament* processes in *South Asia* and *Middle East* through international treaties. ## *10. Track-II Diplomacy* Engage *civil society*, *academics*, and *business leaders* in unofficial diplomatic channels to build trust. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *US army* has *250-year history* of facing various enemies. - *India-Pakistan* conflict spans *77 years* (since 1947, would be diamond anniversary in 2022). - *Israel* destroyed *Iraqi nuclear reactor* near *Baghdad* in *1981*. - Distance between *Islamabad* and *Tel Aviv* is *3,300 kilometers*. - Distance between *Islamabad* and *Beijing* is *3,800 kilometers*. - *World War I* (*1914-18*) resulted in *16 million deaths* (*9 million military*, *7 million civilians*). - *Henry Kissinger* made nuclear proliferation prediction in *1957*. - *Netanyahu* called *Modi* on "*Friday the 13th*" before attacking *Iran*. - Predicted timeline for *Israel-Iran* conflict: before *October 2025*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Global military spending* reached *$2.4 trillion* in 2023 (*SIPRI*, 2024). - *Nuclear weapons* worldwide total approximately *13,000* warheads (*Federation of American Scientists*, 2024). - *India-Pakistan* conflicts have cost over *$150 billion* since 1947 (*World Bank*, 2023). - *Middle East* accounts for *40%* of global arms imports (*SIPRI*, 2024). - *Iran*'s uranium enrichment* reached *60% purity* by 2024 (*IAEA*, 2024). - *US military aid* to *Israel* totals *$3.8 billion* annually (*US State Department*, 2024). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *How long is the history of the US army according to the article?* A. 200 years *B. 250 years* C. 300 years D. 150 years ### 2. *What year did Israel destroy Iraq's nuclear reactor?* A. 1979 *B. 1981* C. 1983 D. 1985 ### 3. *What is the distance between Islamabad and Tel Aviv?* A. 3,800 kilometers *B. 3,300 kilometers* C. 4,000 kilometers D. 2,500 kilometers ### 4. *Who predicted nuclear proliferation by secondary states in 1957?* A. Barack Obama B. Donald Trump *C. Henry Kissinger* D. Benjamin Netanyahu ### 5. *What does the author say Israel has selected Pakistan as?* A. Appetizer B. Main course *C. Dessert* D. Side dish # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Sine qua non* (لازمی شرط) – An essential condition or requirement 2. *Fickle* (متغیر) – Changing frequently, unreliable 3. *Fomented* (بھڑکایا) – Instigated or stirred up 4. *Bellicose* (جنگجو) – Aggressive and warlike 5. *Covert* (خفیہ) – Secret or hidden 6. *Scythe* (درانتی) – A tool for cutting, used metaphorically 7. *Ominous* (منحوس) – Threatening or inauspicious 8. *Unashamedly* (بے شرمی سے) – Without embarrassment or regret 9. *Proliferation* (پھیلاؤ) – Rapid increase or spread 10. *Disguised* (چھپایا) – Concealed or hidden 11. *Radical* (انتہا پسند) – Extreme or revolutionary 12. *Notional* (تصوراتی) – Theoretical or conceptual 13. *Umbilical* (ناف کی طرح) – Essential connection like umbilical cord 14. *Adjacent* (ملحقہ) – Next to or adjoining 15. *Catastrophe* (تباہی) – A sudden disaster 16. *Paucity* (کمی) – Scarcity or shortage 17. *Elicited* (اخذ کیا) – Drew out or obtained 18. *Complement* (تعریف) – Expression of praise 19. *Despots* (آمر) – Absolute rulers, tyrants 20. *Insignificant* (غیر اہم) – Of little importance 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. Please be reminded not to remove the attribution label affixed to this article. It is crucial to acknowledge the source and the effort invested in creating this summary. We discourage any unauthorized distribution without proper credit. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 🔍 ⚡ *Explore More Summaries, Solutions, and Vocabulary Meanings* 💡 Join our WhatsApp Channel for timely and comprehensive summaries of the latest articles, along with well-crafted solutions and helpful vocabulary meanings. Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *www.dawn.com* *Next in line?* *F.S. Aijazuddin* *5–6 minutes* A RELIABLE enemy is as difficult to find today as a loyal friend. In modern geopolitics, the first is a sine qua non, the second a fickle firefly. In its 250-year-old history, the US army has faced a range of foes. The list is long and open-ended — from Germany, the (former) USSR, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Cuba, Iraq, Afghanistan and now China. The US is addicted to war: it gets high on hostility. Here, India and Pakistan are in the last quartile of their 'Hundred Years War'. Had they been a married couple, in 2022 they would have celebrated their diamond anniversary. But theirs is not a union of choice. It has been a reluctant pairing, fomented by suspicion and sustained by state-sponsored hate. There are still many Pakistanis and Indians who recall with genuine nostalgia a pre-Modi India, when borders were lines not barriers, when interest in each other was not simply security-related, and when hope sprang, if not eternal, at least periodical. They both wonder why the Indian media (normally balanced) has become irrationally bellicose, why it still advocates war-war to jaw-jaw, when peace is clearly a cheaper option. The world is too dangerously close to World War III. Or does India prefer to imitate its ally Israel and to periodically 'mow the grass', using covert terrorist attacks within Pakistan as a scythe? Israel, like the US, has tested a number of foes. The latest is Iran. During the past week, they have been locked in open war. This is not accidental. In 2023, Yonah J. Bob and Ilan Evyatar in their book Target Tehran predicted as much, with a specific date: "If the Israel-Iran chess game is played out further, things could become ominous. If Iran knows that Israel also knows that it might break out a nuclear weapon before October 2025 […] Israel might decide to strike before the Iranians have had more time to prepare — in other words, before 2025." The book was written while Joe Biden (a Democrat) was still president. Like his predecessor Barack Obama, Biden acted as a brake on Israel. Donald Trump, however, is unashamedly Israel's engine. Will the Israel-Iran war continue? The two authors think it likely. Their view is that "the conflict between Israel and Iran seems in its essence sadly unchanged, and perhaps unchangeable. Barring the collapse of the theocratic regime, Iran will continue to do two things: one, strive to become a nuclear weapon state, and two, for reasons of religious ideology and national grandeur, seek the destruction of Israel". The proliferation of nuclear weapons by smaller countries had been foreseen by Henry Kissinger 70 years ago. In 1957, he predicted in his book Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy: "Within another 15 years the diffusion of nuclear technology will make inevitable the possession of nuclear weapons by many now secondary states." Today, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel have also gone nuclear. Israel has never disguised its policy to prevent any 'radical' Muslim country from going nuclear. It noshes from a 'table d'hôte' menu. The appetiser was Iraq. In 1981, Israel destroyed an unfinished nuclear reactor near Baghdad. The main course is Iran. Does Iran in fact have nuclear weapons? Or are they like Iraq's unproven WMDs? And for dessert, Israel has selected Pakistan. A distance of 3,300 kilometres separates Islamabad from Tel Aviv. Islamabad and Beijing are closer than the notional 3,800km. As the spat following Pahalgam has proved, China and Pakistan are more than distant iron brothers. They are adjacent allies, with umbilical interests. Israel is trying to draw its sponsor the US into the war ag­­ainst Iran. Trump is tempted. He should heed Kissinger's ad­­­-vice: "In the Nuc­l­ear Age, abandoning an ally risked eventual disaster, but resorting to nu­­clear war at the side of an ally guaranteed immediate catastrophe." For the first time since 1945, the world is too dangerously close to World War III. To understand the present situation, one needs to go back a century, to the 1914-18 war. World War I resulted in an estimated 16 million deaths, including 9m military personnel and 7m civilians. The paucity of intelligent leadership elicited from the German Gen Erich Ludendorff the back-handed compliment that the British soldiers were "lions, led by donkeys". The French politician Clemenceau went further: "War is too serious a matter to be left to generals". In a modern context, he would have added that nuclear warfare is too serious a matter to be left to democratic despots. It is not insignificant that immediately prior to attacking Iran, on Friday the 13th, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Indian PM Modi. One wonders whether Netanyahu suggested that Modi should take to gardening again, and use his scythe to mow our grass. The writer is an author. www.fsaijazuddin.pk Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2025