Prof Robert Patman. The response from the New Zealand Government to the United States drone strike killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani has been too timid, a University of Otago academic says. ‘‘One of the constraints on a war from the American point of view is the war with Iraq. ‘‘Iran is a much bigger country than Iraq, if they struggled in Iraq they will struggle in Iran.’’He said Mr Trump uttered threats but lacked follow through. ‘‘There is also considerable evidence of reservations in the United States regarding what he did ... he doesn’t have great support,’’ Prof Patman said.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 08, 2020 18:30 UTC