Arab countries have long
accused the West of a double standard when it comes to them. They cry foul
every time the rules-based order has been violated.
اضافة اعلان
When a caricature that
negatively depicts Muslims and the Prophet Mohammad is published in France, the
Arab world says this would not be tolerated if the subject were another. Yet,
the French government claims this is fair game because of free speech. When
Arab audiences listen to Western coverage denouncing the Wagner Group, they
cannot but draw parallels to Blackwater and the atrocities they have committed
and wonder whether U.S. audiences also pick up on this.
These are old arguments
that many have tired of hearing.
Perhaps the Arab world has
gotten too much in the habit of relativism or victimizing themselves whenever
the opportunity arises? Maybe they have to effectively grow up and come to
terms with the idea that this is just the way things are, that world politics
is, after all, driven by interests and that “might is right”? Probably.
To many in the region, the West’s response to the latest violence in Palestine represents the final nail in the coffin of both, with long-term and perhaps irreparable consequences.
For its part, the West
shouldn’t brush off Arab anger lightly, not because they should care about Arab
feelings or sentiment but for the very same reason; their interests.
There are numerous reasons
why the West has been losing its regional footing over the past two decades.
While many believe this is all part of a grand strategy on the part of
adversaries like China and Russia, it is the West’s own approach to the region that
is probably a main driver for it. That there are accepted and unaccepted forms
of occupation, good and bad mercenaries, or good and bad nuclear weapons, were
contradictions that undermined the West’s credibility and the rules-based
order.
The nail in the coffin of
both
To many in the region, the
West’s response to the latest violence in Palestine represents the final nail
in the coffin of both, with long-term and perhaps irreparable consequences.
When Israeli leaders
publicly announce they will cut off water and electricity from Gaza, the Arab
world expect that (at least) some more balanced leaders, such as the European
Commission’s President Ursula von Der Leyen, might condemn such actions given
that exactly a year ago, she described similar Russian actions against Ukraine
as acts of “pure terror.” They are shocked to find that she is not only silent
but also supporting and enabling Israeli actions.
It is either that the West
does not recognize the contradiction in their approach, that they think they
are taking the Arab world for a ride or that they simply don’t care.
It may not matter either.
The result is the same; the continued move towards a new global order.
The post-globalization era
that is emerging is one of increasing fragmentation and bifurcation between the
West and the rest of the world and it will impact almost every facet of life.
Multinational retailers believed to be financial donors to Israel or those
operating in illegal Israeli settlements stand no chance of surviving in
multiple countries where they operate across the region. Students from around
the world will look elsewhere to pursue their higher education when they hear
leaders such as Donald Trump and Ron De Santos effectively say they would ban
foreign students showing solidarity with Palestine from studying in the U.S. in
the future. Even technology ecosystems will not be spared as numerous
supporters of Palestine are shadow banned or prevented from posting on
Meta-owned platforms such as Instagram.
Two decades later, it turns out those muted and reasonable voices were right. After trillions of dollars spent and millions of lives lost, including countless Americans, the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan and Iraq with little to show for aside from enabling the rise of powers that challenged their post-Cold War hegemony.
In periods like this when
major powers are on a war footing and lost amidst a war frenzy, reason and
wisdom become scarce because these voices become suppressed.
Anyone who speaks up is
immediately ostracized, accused of being a terrorist or a terrorist
sympathizer. Even a number of retired Israeli military and security leaders who
have shown the courage to speak out have come under attack.
It is reminiscent of the
period in the lead up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq when George W. Bush shared
his overly simplified worldview, “you’re either with us or against us.” To put
this into context, this was when American restaurants were renaming “French
Fries” to “Liberty Fries” and throwing away French wine because France
(uncharacteristically, it must be added) was against the impending invasion.
Two decades later, it turns
out those muted and reasonable voices were right. After trillions of dollars
spent and millions of lives lost, including countless Americans, the U.S.
withdrew from Afghanistan and Iraq with little to show for aside from enabling
the rise of powers that challenged their post-Cold War hegemony.
Does the West always need
to suffer its way to wisdom? It may be too late for them this time around;
irreparable damage has already been done.
This article originally appeared
in Global Comment.
Nasser bin Nasser is founder and CEO of Ambit Advisory.
Read more Opinion and Analysis
Jordan News
.jpg)
.jpg)
