Pakistan, June 18 -- The Middle East is already on fire. Donald Trump just poured gasoline on it. In a stunning escalation, American president publicly declared that the US "knows exactly where" Iran's Supreme Leader is, but will not "kill him-at least not for now." He then demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender."

Just days ago, this newspaper warned that the region is veering toward a flashpoint with global consequences. Today, with such threats now in the open, that alarm has turned into a siren. The mask of ambiguity has dropped: we are witnessing a new doctrine where deterrence is replaced by domination, where "peace" is equated with submission.

To be clear, this is not an ordinary soundbite. It is a deliberate, calculated signal;...