IN the global screen, the Philippines is a small and distant blip that does not warrant immediate attention from world leaders or from the United Nations.

Right now, their plate is full of nations in the throes of anarchy, starvation, civil war, terrorism, violence, failed democracies, and economic retrogression.

On the local radar screen, however, our national leaders, whether administration or opposition, or Congress and business, must not only pay greater attention and focus on developments in world affairs that impact directly on the economy but should unite in a common cause to prevent the nation from sliding into economic depression and political upheaval.

Thus, the challenges are simple and clear. How do we feed 85 million people, and counting?

What do we do with totally denuded rainforests and depleted and destroyed marine resources and habitats?

How do we resuscitate and modernize anemic and low-tech manufacturing and export sectors, respectively?

For how long can we depend on the services industry that now commands 50 percent of GNP, and the export of labor?

How will this country survive without its own oil reserves, wanton waste of water due to vanishing rainforests, no hydro resources, no nuclear power, and inadequate irrigation systems?

The realities and global issues of today are not likely to be resolved soon, and could very well escalate to dangerous brinkmanship.

First, while the per barrel of crude may soften eventually, the world, and the Philippines, must live with crude prices at this high plateau as a way of life.

Corollarily, while the peso-dollar exchange rate may gyrate favorably in favor of the peso in the short-run, the odds favor further depreciation of the currency, and more expensive import cost, in the longer term which may exacerbate the budget deficit.

Second, the escalating turmoil and deepening crisis in the Middle East, and in many parts of the world, must concern all nations, big and small, and every nation, especially the Philippines, must fend for itself while world leaders discuss and find ways to avert war and nuclear threats.

It would be presumptious for anyone to think that he understands the issues and path to peace that have eluded the most experienced and brilliant advisers, analysts, envoys, and leaders that the world has to offer.

Suffice it to say, that the United States has been the problem while the world at the same time looks to America for the solution.

To Muslims worldwide, including non-Arab Islamists, unless the Palestinian homeland issue is resolved, there will be no peace in the Middle East.

Third, the American invasion of Iraq is an aggravation and aberration.

The Sunni tribe minorities of Saddam Hussein and in Syria will not allow themselves to be subjugated and be dominated by the majority Shi’ite population of Iraq that is aligned and fraternally affiliated to the Iranian religious sect.

This is the bind that President George W. Bush has gotten himself into, and does not know how to extricate himself and the United States from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran.

To add insult to injury, as far as Islamists are concerned, the world discovered that Saddam Hussein was merely bluffing, and had no WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) while Israel, tolerated, abetted, pampered, and funded by the United States, is brimming and smothered with weapons of mass destruction, silos of nuclear warheads, a phalanx of Patriot missiles, and one of the world’s best air forces.

Yet, neither the United States nor the UN has imposed sanctions on Israel.

Now comes Iran with its nuclear program.

Iran, ever since the reign of the Shah of Iran, has had not only a romantic obsession with nuclear power but has also looked upon nuclear power as a protection and defense from invaders, whether it be from the north, i.e. former Soviet Union, or the West, or from Israel.

The world must understand that conquerors from ancient times have always salivated over Iran for its wealth and strategic location.

Thus, Iran, which had been criss-crossed and plundered by conquering hordes over the centuries, has now vowed that it will never be cowed or subdued ever again by foreign invaders.

Its motivation has little to do with the turmoil in Iraq, and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Iran is Islamic but not Arab.

Lest we forget, the Kurds are on the rise, with the oil riches from the former Iraq which they will not give up without a fight. The Kurds are fiercely independent.

For Philippine leaders, we must tend to our own problems with an eye to what is happening abroad, or perish.

You be the judge. (For comments and views, please e-mail: chaff_fromthegrain@yahoo.com.ph)