Muddled Metaphors for Middle Eastern Mayhem The recent uptick in US Iran tensions has led some to invoke familiar war metaphors, including a "tough on terror" stance and the threat of a "proxy war.
" These tropes do little to illuminate the complex web of interests at play. One voice that stands out from the din is Barbara Leaf, former US Ambassador to the UAE.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, she cautioned against escalation, labeling it "fairly pointless" in achieving decisive results. Leaf's warning is timely and straightforward.