Seemingly disparate Middle East conflicts show collective erosion of self-restraint

As pockets of war multiply across region so does the risk that conflict becomes more contagious and intractable

On Thursday morning the Iranian news website Entekhab ran, without irony, the headline: Taliban call on Pakistan and Iran to show restraint and urge both sides to settle differences through diplomatic means".

If proof were needed that a new, more dangerous world order may be upon us, the Taliban cast in the role of advocates for restraint seems conclusive.