The Epstein horrors and war on Iran unfolding in the shadow of the Gaza catastrophe give the present moment an unmistakably dystopian character, says Mike Wayne

Among the images and videos released from the Epstein files is a room on his private island, Little Saint James, with a yellow dentist’s chair in it. Never a welcome sight at the best of times, the dentist’s chair on the island where Epstein conducted his sexual crimes is chilling. No explanation has been forthcoming from the authorities. Some people have speculated that Epstein brought young children to the island, and the chair was used to remove their teeth to prevent biting during sexual assault. Such depravity is hard to fathom.

Whatever the truth about that dentist’s chair, in a room with masks hanging on the walls, it seems a fitting metaphor for what we are currently witnessing in the Middle East. Iran is now in the dentist’s chair, having its teeth pulled so it can no longer ‘bite’ US imperialism in the region. The relish that Trump and his gangsters are taking in bombing Iran is not even remotely disguised. 

Beyond this appalling display of billionaire class amorality, there is something else going on. Something more strategic for the military-industrial complex: this is a warning to all those who look to thwart US imperial power. There are no rules now, no constraints; we are living on the “paradise island” of the billionaire class. Where they are free to commit whatever crimes against humanity they choose to. If you do not bend to their will, well, there is always the dentist’s chair. You will be dealt with.

There are some comrades who argue that if the Islamic Republic survives, it will represent a failure for US imperialism. I think this sets the bar for failure far too low. A beaten, toothless Iran brought back to the negotiating table to make a deal would be acceptable to the US.

 With Hamas and Hezbollah massively weakened, if their chief sponsor is similarly cut down to size, then US and Israeli military dominance will be assured. They have already created a new normal with the mass murder of Palestinians in Gaza. One which opens a door to future atrocities in a numbed world which has become used to depravity. An Iran subordinated, like Venezuela, still nominally under a PSUV government but whose economic policy is run by Washington, would be just fine. 

US imperialism may not even want the Republic overthrown. A more ‘democratic’ government in the Middle East? Isn’t that reserved for the Judeo-Christian world? Recall Hillary Clinton’s face when the Arab Spring broke out in Egypt in 2011. She was not exactly excited to champion democracy.

The only way the US could snatch defeat from the jaws of victory now is by committing ground troops and getting sucked into an occupation. Even imperialists can learn from history, so much so that this outcome seems unlikely. If they really feel they must, they are more likely to use proxies to try and break Iran from within. Viewed through a human lens, that looks like a disaster. From the lens of US Imperialism, the Libya option still looks like a success. Another challenger gone, one way or another. 

The only non-military power that could check US imperialism right now is an anti-war movement in their own backyard. For us here in the UK, our role is to try and limit the room for manoeuvre of British imperialism. The anti-war movement broke Blair politically and has been an obstacle blocking more aggressive British ambitions. It is the reason why Starmer is now wary of getting too involved in the war on Iran, as well as why he has tried to break the anti-war movement using legal tactics. 

Palestine Action has been proscribed as a terrorist organisation. Kneecap band member Óg  Ó hAnnaidh (‘Mo Chara’) still potentially faces possible prosecution, while Ben Jamal of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Chris Nineham of Stop the War are already being prosecuted. None of this would be happening if the UK’s anti-war movement was not considered a threat.

Ultimately, what is happening in the Middle East is the prelude to something even more dangerous: the US pivot to China. This is where we really enter Dr Strangelove territory. For all of Trump’s swagger, US imperialism does need allies. Hence, Trump’s fury at Starmer’s failure to offer full-throated support for the bombing. In the longer term, and maybe even not-so-distant future, it will become critical to try and limit the cohesiveness of Western imperialism in taking on China.