With the world in chaos following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, President Milei returns to his aggressive “outsider” roots to regain political momentum.
Every time global tensions escalate toward the threat of World War III, social media becomes flooded with lists of the safest countries to seek refuge. Argentina invariably appears in the top ten due to its vast resources, low population density, and significant geographic distance from major conflict zones. However, as the world reels from the shocking U.S.-Israeli strike that took out Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Argentina’s “safety” is being tested by its own domestic and foreign policies.
Milei’s Calculated Chaos
The article analyzes President Javier Milei’s recent speech at the opening of the legislative year. Despite the global turmoil, Milei focused almost exclusively on a domestic offensive. He unleashed a barrage of over 20 verbal aggressions against his political rivals—labeling them “parasites,” “thieves,” and “mafiosi.”
Fontevecchia argues that this was not a loss of control, but a deliberate political strategy. By returning to the aggressive rhetoric that got him elected, Milei aims to:
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Regain Centrality: Shift the focus away from stagflation and declining real wages.
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Emulate Trump: Much like his ally Donald Trump, Milei uses provocation to drag his opponents into a battlefield of his choosing.
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Consolidate Wins: Following recent legislative victories, such as the labor reform, Milei is doubling down on his “anti-caste” narrative to secure his base for future re-election.
The Economic Double-Edged Sword
The war in the Middle East presents contradictory forces for the Argentine economy:
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Energy Windfall: The potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sent global oil and gas prices soaring. This is a massive boon for Vaca Muerta exports, providing much-needed foreign currency.
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Financial Risk: The global “flight to quality” (investors moving to safe havens) makes it increasingly difficult and expensive for a “serial defaulter” like Argentina to access international debt markets, despite the recent bond issuances.
Geopolitical Risks
While Argentina is geographically isolated, Milei’s “total alignment” with the United States and Israel introduces local risks. The author reminds readers of the 1990s bombings in Buenos Aires, suggesting that being “the safest country” is a relative concept when the nation’s foreign policy places it directly in the crosshairs of global retaliations.
Conclusion
Ultimately, while the world watches the Middle East with bated breath, Argentina remains obsessed with its own internal drama. Milei’s priority is simple: maintain political dominance and aim for re-election. In a world at war, Argentina might be a geographic safe haven, but its economic and institutional future remains as volatile as ever.
SOURCE: batimes.com.ar