Editorial Snapshot: 17-June-2025

Escalation spiral: on the Israel-Iran conflict

Israel’s unprovoked June 13 attack on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities and senior officials, has triggered West Asia’s worst crisis since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed to cripple Iran’s capabilities, but the offensive backfired, prompting Iran to launch over 370 ballistic missiles, killing 24 Israelis and wounding over 500. Despite gaining air superiority, Israel has failed to destroy Iran’s dispersed nuclear infrastructure. The ongoing tit-for-tat strikes are fueling an escalation spiral, with Israel seeking dominance and Iran establishing deterrence. Netanyahu’s strategy risks prolonging the war and sabotaging nuclear diplomacy, which was set to resume before the attack. His push for regime change in Tehran is fraught with uncertainty. U.S. President Trump, while still open to a deal, demands full Iranian nuclear concessions, which Tehran rejects. If the war continues, U.S. involvement and regional destabilization, including threats to Gulf shipping routes, are likely. A ceasefire is urgently needed, with global powers—especially the U.S. and Russia—called to mediate and restore peace.

​Deserving winners: on South Africa’s win at Lord’s  

South Africa ended a long wait for ICC glory by defeating defending champions Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. Historically known for faltering at crucial moments in major tournaments, the Proteas overcame past failures with a determined performance. After conceding a first-innings lead, they chased 282 in the fourth innings, led by captain Temba Bavuma, centurion Aiden Markram, and pacer Kagiso Rabada. This victory marked their first ICC title since the 1998 Wills International Cup. Bavuma’s leadership and post-match speech highlighted South Africa’s unity as the Rainbow Nation. The win challenges the dominance of the ‘Big Three’ — India, Australia, and England — in global cricket, and inspires belief in other teams. Overcoming Australia’s strong bowling attack underscored South Africa’s growth and resilience, especially after past setbacks including apartheid-era isolation and the Hansie Cronje match-fixing scandal. This triumph at Lord’s symbolizes a remarkable comeback and a historic milestone for South African cricket.

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