The memorandum of understanding that ostensibly ends the four-month war between the US and Iran illuminated the profound US defeat.

In addition, a Quincy Institute webinar on military lessons from the war, shortly before the MOU’s release, counted numerous ways in which America’s failures in its misbegotten war reveal how drastically US military dominance has been undermined for the long term.

On the subject of the relative decline of US power and influence, the impacts of the war on world energy supplies, especially in Asia, will reinforce political and economic pressures for alternative – non-fossil energy sources.

China is already light years ahead of the US in clean energy production technologies, while President Donald Trump thinks only in the very short term as he maximises oil and gas production and exports while attempting to revitalise filthy coal mining.

Bottom line – the US loss in this totally avoidable imperial war of choice was severe. That said, countries and territories as small and weak as Cuba and Greenland remain profoundly vulnerable.

The MOU’s commitments include:

Immediate termination of military operations, including in Lebanon;

The US and Iran “refrain from the threat or use of force against each other”;

Mutual respect of US and Iranian sovereignty;

The US and Iran commit to negotiating a final agreement within 60 days, although this timetable can be extended by mutual consent;

The US and regional partners will develop a $US300 billion ($A427 billion) plan for reconstruction and economic development in Iran. The mechanism for implementation is to be finalised within 60 days;

The US commits to “terminate all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic”, including United Nations sanctions;

The US will fully remove its naval blockade within 30 days and will remove its forces “from the proximity of the Islamic Republic within 30 days after the final deal”;

Iran will engage in dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman........

© The New Daily