Washington: As tensions escalate between the US, Israel, and Iran in a rapidly intensifying West Asia conflict, prominent American economist Professor Jeffrey Sachs has sounded the alarm, warning that only three global leaders have the power to avert a looming disaster. Sachs identified India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, China’s President Xi Jinping, and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin as the “grown-ups” who can intervene to prevent a catastrophic escalation into a global war.
In a candid interview with NewOrder TV, Sachs emphasized that the world is facing a critical juncture, and it is these three leaders, representing the world’s other major powers, who have the responsibility to step in and curb the conflict.
“This is a moment that has to be stopped by grown-ups, and the only ones who can do it are Modi, Xi, and Putin,” Sachs declared. “They are the only leaders who have the global stature to stop this before it spirals out of control.” He pointed to the importance of their collective influence, particularly in forums like BRICS, where India currently holds the chairmanship.
Sachs, a seasoned observer of global economics and geopolitics, stressed the importance of India adopting a more proactive diplomatic stance. He urged New Delhi to leverage its longstanding ties with Iran, its geopolitical influence, and its diplomatic relations across the region to play a more assertive role in de-escalating tensions. Sachs suggested that India, with its civilizational and strategic weight, should challenge American foreign policy rather than remain passive.
“India has the stature, the power, and the dignity to say no to American delusions. They should work together with China and Russia to demand restraint and pursue a multilateral approach to this crisis,” Sachs explained, calling for a unified stance from the world’s other superpowers to push for peace.
The economist also voiced concern over the broader impact of the conflict, describing the potential war as a “war of whim” that could destabilize global energy markets, disrupt key shipping lanes, and set off a ripple effect throughout the global economy. “This is not just one country’s mistake; it’s a disaster in the making for the entire world,” Sachs warned, adding that an escalation could lead to catastrophic consequences far beyond the battlefield.
In his comments, Sachs underscored the fragility of the global energy supply chain, which could be irreparably harmed by a large-scale military strike on Iran. “If you destroy a significant portion of the world’s energy supply, you could see a global economic contraction within weeks,” he said, predicting not only fuel shortages but also disruptions in food production, fertilizer supplies, and manufacturing across the world.
Sachs specifically pointed to the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in West Asia, such as oil fields, refineries, and shipping routes. “These are not heavily protected, and they’re already under attack. The consequences of destruction could escalate very quickly,” he warned.
He sharply criticized the idea that a brief conflict would have limited effects, calling it a dangerous miscalculation. “In just a matter of weeks, we could see a collapse of the global energy supply. It’s a ticking time bomb.”
Sachs also reflected on the broader context of US foreign policy, linking the current crisis to Washington’s long-standing pursuit of global dominance. He described the ongoing tensions as part of a larger pattern of “hegemony-driven wars” that have consistently destabilized regions and triggered economic and humanitarian crises.
With the world on the edge of a possible catastrophe, Sachs urged the leaders of India, China, and Russia to take swift, coordinated action to avert disaster, stressing that the weight of global stability now lies in their hands.
