{"id":32941,"date":"2026-03-31T03:18:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T03:18:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/?p=32941"},"modified":"2026-03-31T03:18:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T03:18:25","slug":"modern-warfare-a-chemical-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/?p=32941","title":{"rendered":"Modern warfare: A Chemical event&#8230;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"854\" height=\"568\" data-id=\"32952\" src=\"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-11.25.59-PM.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32952\" srcset=\"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-11.25.59-PM.png 854w, https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-11.25.59-PM-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-11.25.59-PM-768x511.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-be2a8a8b10ba7681fac41427225c35d2\" style=\"color:#9b0f07\"><br><strong>The Iran war\u2019s toll on public health and climate&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Iran war\u2019s toll on public health and climate | UpFront\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/11ivcDZOBz4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The US-Israeli war with Iran has left a devastating humanitarian impact that could last for years. The bombing of energy infrastructure, fuel depots, and oil tankers has not only shocked the global economy, but polluted air, soil, food and waterways with toxic chemicals. In response to escalating attacks from the US and Israel, Iran has threatened to bomb desalination plants in the Gulf, which millions of people in the region rely on for drinking water. So what will be the true toll of this war on populations and ecosystems around the globe? <strong>This week on UpFront, Redi Tlhabi speaks with Narges Bajoghli, associate professor of Middle East Studies at the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University and co-author of, How Sanctions Work: Iran and the Impact of Economic Warfare.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-11.38.04-PM.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32953\" srcset=\"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-11.38.04-PM.png 1000w, https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-11.38.04-PM-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-11.38.04-PM-768x527.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-yellow-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-cb801be5b45a57dc9d8b6deda2b5717d\" style=\"background-color:#ee1106\"><strong>we are also seeing another type of suffering unfold. Apocalyptic images of clouds of smoke, black rain.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The following edited text (with assistance from EURIA )is based on the video transcript emphasizing severe health and environmental consequences of sustained bombing campaigns in the Middle East, particularly targeting oil infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"764\" src=\"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-11.28.00-PM.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32954\" srcset=\"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-11.28.00-PM.png 1000w, https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-11.28.00-PM-300x229.png 300w, https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-11.28.00-PM-768x587.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong><em>Health Risks:<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;Due to Tehran&#8217;s geography surrounded by mountains, toxins released from burning oil depots are trapped in the air, soil, water, and food supply. Toxicologists in Iran warn that these compounds lodge in human lungs and could cause health impacts for years, potentially affecting multiple generations. The text characterizes modern warfare as a &#8220;chemical event,&#8221; noting that missiles and burning fuel release toxic compounds that require significant time and resources to fully quantify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-10.31.41-PM.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32956\" srcset=\"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-10.31.41-PM.png 1000w, https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-10.31.41-PM-300x246.png 300w, https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-10.31.41-PM-768x629.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong><em>Climate Impact<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;:The conflict is accelerating climate change by releasing massive amounts of greenhouse gases. An analysis cited in the text found that 5 million tons of emissions were released in just two weeks, a figure equivalent to the annual combined emissions of 84 countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-yellow-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-287c99c16db0b600d04e77947c62e5a1\" style=\"background-color:#cd1208\"><strong><em>Global Consequences<\/em>:<\/strong>&nbsp;The author emphasizes that warfare effects do not stay within national borders; pollutants and carbon footprints travel globally. When combined with other conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, and Lebanon, the timeline for addressing climate change is being significantly shortened, making the collective future of the planet a critical concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"799\" src=\"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-10.27.27-PM.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32957\" srcset=\"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-10.27.27-PM.png 1000w, https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-10.27.27-PM-300x240.png 300w, https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-30-at-10.27.27-PM-768x614.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><em><strong>Modern Warfare as a &#8220;Chemical Event&#8221;:<\/strong><\/em>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Every missile, bomb, and burning fuel depot releases toxic compounds into the air.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><em><strong>Climate Change Acceleration:<\/strong><\/em>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bombing energy infrastructure and destroying cities contributes to climate change.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A recent analysis found 5 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions released within just two weeks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At this rate, the annual emissions would equal the combined output of 84 countries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><em><strong>Global Conflict Comparison:<\/strong><\/em>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The bombing in Gaza is compared to the tonnage of atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Combined conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Iran, and Lebanon are speeding up the timeline for climate disaster, moving concerns from a decade away to an immediate crisis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><em><strong>Transboundary Consequences:<\/strong><\/em>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Warfare effects do not respect national borders; toxins and carbon footprints travel globally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All populations are breathing the same air and living under the shared consequences of these releases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The collective future of the planet is at stake due to the cumulative impact of these wars.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"714\" src=\"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Court-Painter-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32959\" srcset=\"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Court-Painter-.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Court-Painter--300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Court-Painter--768x548.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"714\" src=\"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Court-Painter-Netanyahu.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32961\" srcset=\"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Court-Painter-Netanyahu.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Court-Painter-Netanyahu-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Court-Painter-Netanyahu-768x548.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-yellow-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-4fd9b06427d6582965cb41d9891ae8d1\" style=\"background-color:#b3150d\">We must acknowledge these two dear leader friends and their many supporters and friends for the present state of the Middle East and instability throughout the globe!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Iran war\u2019s toll on public health and climate&nbsp; The US-Israeli war with Iran has left a devastating humanitarian impact that could last for years. The bombing of energy infrastructure, fuel depots, and oil tankers has not only shocked the global economy, but polluted air, soil, food and waterways with toxic chemicals. In response to &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/?p=32941\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Modern warfare: A Chemical event&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-gallery","hentry","category-images","post_format-post-format-gallery"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32941","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=32941"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32941\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32963,"href":"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32941\/revisions\/32963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=32941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=32941"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allanhardingmackay.ca\/courtpainter\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=32941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}