The Importance of World Peace: A Pragmatic Leadership Perspective
Much of the world is aflame with anti-U.S. rhetoric
Hello readers, and welcome back to The Woz Report. As the world continues to report on the deteriorating situation in Gaza, the US administration continues to support Israel. According to the AP, more than 3,000 protesters marched to the heavily guarded U.S. Embassy in Indonesia’s capital on Saturday to demand an end to the war and bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
Protest marches in Indonesia are but one instance of a global trend. It seems that the United States is experiencing dwindling support on all continents, including at home. The U.S. Government cannot disregard the significance of hundreds of demonstrators who congregated at New York City's iconic Grand Central Terminal, donning black T-shirts and passionately demanding an end to hostilities in Gaza.
What steps can the United States take to minimise the harm?
The Middle East is arguably the last place the US wants to find itself in, only a few years after leaving the chaos of Iraq and Afghanistan. The might of the US military and its allies did little to deter the terrorist organisation of Al Qaeda (AQ), the Taliban and ISIS. The same can be said of Hamas. Nonetheless, the US recently demonstrated its capabilities this past week, when it intercepted missiles launched from Yemen.
When Russia invaded Ukraine it risked drawing in NATO. Putin is prepared to play the long-game, just as AQ were in Afghanistan. The situation in Ukraine is dire, and it has stretched the patience, financial and military capacity of the West. NATO isn’t the military machine it was in the late 1980s, and it no longer has full focus on supporting Ukraine. In light of the developing situation in Ukraine, Moscow could potentially be viewing the conflict between Hamas and Israel with some degree of satisfaction.
While protests serve their purpose, technology enables a more immediate and visceral exchange of ideas on digital platforms. Those very conversations are almost impossible to inhibit.
US diplomats must leverage the meaningfully engagements with Egypt and Qatar, and the signatories of the Abraham Accords of 2020. However, the scope of those accords will not broaden while the right wing government of Netanyahu is in play.
Could Gen Z hold the key for a cessation on anti-US sentiment? Farah Pandith, writing for CFR believes so.
To broaden engagement with Muslims and Arabs globally, the administration should identify areas of common ground to connect with Generation Z (Gen Z) and Millennials and build relationships with these critical demographics despite the naysayers.
World peace hangs by a thread
One year after the war in Ukraine, the world finds itself on the sidelines of another humanitarian catastrophe. Protests for Peace in Gaza continue around the globe, and each day that Israel maintains its offensive in Gaza increases the potential for the conflict to escalate across the Middle East.
Nations have a right to self defence, but they do not have a right to break the rule of law. As news of the conflict in Gaza continues to dominate headlines, it is vital to focus on the human impact behind the numbers. The accepted number of children dying in conflict is zero. I’ve written on the millions of displaced children across the globe, and the socio-economic risks associated with the terrible situation in Gaza.
In times of conflict, it is civilians, especially children, who bear the brunt of the suffering. I’m raising money for UNICEF, but the amount I raise is just a small contribution compared to what is required to ensure a brighter future for those in need.
President Netanyahu is playing a dangerous game, because although he may have full belief in what he is doing, every military has a limit to what it can achieve.
It will be difficult to overcome Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, Syria, Yemen, as well as the enablers and financiers from Qatar and Iran, even with a coherent Western alliance. And we mustn’t lose sight of the fact that the serial crises we’re confronting directly play into the hands of China, which is waiting for any opportunity to enforce its “reunification” with Taiwan and take over by military means. Mathias Dopfner
Once more, the Middle East situation necessitates pragmatic leadership from peacekeepers who diligently seek the way forward to peace.
Will the United States maintain its support for Israel as the humanitarian situation worsens? In today's interconnected world, achieving world peace holds immense significance. It goes beyond a mere utopian concept; rather, it is a pragmatic necessity that requires effective leadership. The pursuit of global harmony not only ensures the well-being of nations but also shapes the destiny of our shared planet.