Politics is often maligned as one of the most abused professions, yet few recognize it as the toughest calling—one not meant for everyone. When leadership is entrusted to those outside the discipline of politics, the consequences can be more harmful than beneficial. Politics is not a business of profit; it is the art of providing social security, enabling economic empowerment, and nurturing a culture of peace.
Too often, politics is viewed through narrow lenses. Businessmen see transactions and profits, but politics is not commerce—it is stewardship. When business instincts replace political wisdom, the world pays the price.
In last few years, US have shown how trade wars, sanctions, and unilateral decisions can destabilize global alliances, disrupt markets, and fracture trust. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, volatile oil prices, and market swings have left nations scrambling, with a few profiteers thriving while many suffer losses. What was once a unipolar world led by the United States is now shifting into a multipolar reality, with Russia, China, and Europe emerging as new centres of gravity.
The ripple effects are profound:
- Cracks in NATO: Once a formidable alliance, NATO now faces internal doubt. Unilateral U.S. actions have left European nations vulnerable to soaring fuel costs and disrupted trade. Member states, excluded from critical decisions, are questioning their role and contemplating new alliances to safeguard their interests.
- Iran’s Hardline Shift: Instability risks pushing Iran toward radicalization. Its parliament’s resolutions—blocking the Strait of Hormuz and monetizing passage—signal a dangerous trajectory. A vacuum in leadership could transform Iran into a destabilizing force, escalating insecurity worldwide.
- Eroding U.S. Supremacy: For the first time since the Cold War, America’s grip on world affairs is loosening. The world is no longer moving in lockstep with U.S. directives, and the decline of its supremacy threatens the fragile balance that once kept wars at bay.
- Middle East Uncertainty: The region’s hard-earned growth, epitomized by Dubai’s rise as a global hub, now faces jeopardy. Investor confidence wanes, OPEC struggles, and the specter of instability looms large. Middle east nations can no longer can trust US for their security.
- Ukraine’s Predicament: Having trusted Western promises, Ukraine now finds itself isolated. Without sufficient support, it may be forced into concessions, reshaping its territorial integrity and altering the balance of Eastern Europe.
- Global Arms Race: Nations are turning inward, investing heavily in indigenous weapons. The era of collective security is fading, replaced by a new war cry: self-reliance.
The deeper danger lies in the erosion of trust. Ex US secretary of State Henry Kissinger once said, “It may be dangerous to be America’s enemy, but to be America’s friend is fatal”. By imposing wars and prioritizing self-interest, the U.S. risks alienating allies and accelerating moves toward alternatives to the dollar in global trade—a seismic shift that could redefine the world economy.
Politics is not a boardroom negotiation. It is a specialized profession, demanding vision, empathy, and responsibility. When treated as mere business, the damage inflicted can last generations. International relationships are not transactions; they are alliances built on trust, shared values, and collective responsibility.
The lesson is clear: politics must be left to those who understand its gravity. It is not everyone’s cup of tea. When mishandled, its impact is so immense that it cannot be repaired. The world deserves leaders who see politics not as profit, but as purpose.
Politics is indeed the toughest profession, then let us honour it by ensuring only those prepared for its weight carry its mantle. Anything less risks leaving scars too deep for the world to heal.