Imagine standing at the bustling Republic Street in Valletta, the sun beating down on the historic cobblestones. Now, picture spending $29 billion – that’s roughly the cost of the US’s involvement in the Iran war, according to the Pentagon. That’s enough to pave the entire street in gold, and then some. But let’s not forget, this isn’t a video game where we can just top up our credits. This is real money, spent on a real war, with real consequences.

The US’s involvement in the Iran war began under the Bush administration in 2003, with the invasion of Iraq. Fast forward to 2021, and we’re still counting the costs, with the Pentagon estimating the total to be around $29 billion. This includes operations, reconstruction, and veterans’ care. It’s a staggering figure, one that’s hard to grasp while we’re sipping our €2 coffees at a café in Paceville.

But how does this affect Malta, you might ask? Well, while we’re not directly involved in the conflict, our strategic location in the Mediterranean makes us a key player in regional politics. Our stance on such issues can influence our relationships with both the US and the Middle East. Plus, with the US being one of our largest trading partners, any global instability can have ripple effects on our economy.

Malta has maintained a neutral stance throughout the conflict, but that doesn’t mean we’ve been silent. Our government has consistently called for diplomatic solutions, with former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat even visiting Iran in 2019 to discuss regional issues. This balance between neutrality and vocality is a testament to our small size but big voice on the global stage.

Locally, these international developments are discussed in our cafés, offices, and homes. They’re part of our daily conversations, shaping our perspectives on the world. They remind us that while we might be small, our actions and words can have global repercussions.

The US’s $29 billion bill is a stark reminder of the human and financial cost of war. As we look ahead, let’s hope that diplomacy prevails, and that the next headline we read about Iran isn’t another chapter in this costly war, but a story of peace and reconciliation.

As Maltese-American actor Joe Manganiello once said, “Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice.” Let’s strive for that justice, for Malta, for the US, for Iran, and for the world.