Five lessons from the Strait of Hormuz for a new world disorderThe war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28 has rapidly escalated beyond a regional confrontation, fundamentally altering global power dynamics. While Washington has suffered a "strategic defeat" in the eyes of many analysts, the conflict has also revealed transformative shifts in the international system. The events around the Strait of Hormuz have laid bare the fragility of 21st‑century geopolitics and the emergence of new power parameters. Disrupted energy flows, paralysed maritime trade, and direct attacks on Gulf states have turned this war into a watershed moment.
The timing and nature of the strikes—launched while diplomatic talks were still ongoing—showed that Washington no longer prioritises international law or norms. The massive bombardment of Kharg Island in March 2026, which destroyed over 90 targets, was not merely a military act but an attempt to exert global pressure through energy blackmail. President Trump’s threat to “obliterate” Iran’s energy infrastructure if the Strait was not reopened confirmed that “peace through strength” has become outright military intimidation. By calling NATO a “paper tiger”, the US president demonstrated that America has transformed from a rule‑setting hegemon into a source of uncertainty and risk.
One of the war’s most striking outcomes was that US military installations no longer provide security guarantees to host countries; instead, they turned those nations into front‑line targets. Iranian drone and missile strikes against US‑linked facilities in Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE proved that alliance with Washington has become a liability rather than insurance. The inability of the US to fully protect its partners—or even its own bases—has severely damaged the image of America as a reliable security provider. For Gulf states, the military partnership with Washington now carries unacceptable risks.
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