As if the world doesn’t have enough geopolitical tensions and trade wars to contend with, we have peacemaking efforts in the two wars raging that are threatening to only escalate tensions between the warring parties. And India finds itself in the crosshairs of the conflict in Ukraine, because we’re buying Russian oil and defence equipment. It is a rather strange predicament for a country that only until the other day was expected to play a role in the peacemaking efforts between Russia and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the efforts of Trump as peacemaker while he eyes the Nobel Peace Prize, has been sent into overdrive. Except that it ended up as anticipated, with Trump agreeing to Putin’s demand for a comprehensive peace deal and not a mere ceasefire, after their much-publicized meeting in Alaska. And no, of course, Ukraine and Europe were not present at the meeting, as Trump laid out the red carpet for the Russian leader. Ukrainian and European leaders came out of their separate meeting with Trump, pleased with the progress. The meeting between Russia, Ukraine and Europe has yet to take place and nobody knows when. In the meantime, both US and Europe threaten to ratchet up the sanctions on Russia – including secondary sanctions – which is the easiest thing to do, and which will only hurt countries like India even more.
Peacemaking efforts in the Middle-East conflict are even harder to see. Because nobody is trying hard enough. Egypt and Qatar have hosted several peace plan meetings in an effort to bring about a lasting ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the release of Israeli hostages. Right now, the war has been expanded to such an extent, with Israel openly declaring its plan to seize control of Gaza city – as if there is anything or anyone left there to control – that even the hostages have been forgotten. In fact, Netanyahu is doing everything possible to jeopardise the lives of the remaining Israeli hostages, and make sure they never return.
The Middle-East conflict doesn’t even make the news in international media most days. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is reported to be indescribable and the UN has even declared famine there. A man-made one. Thousands are dying of starvation, in addition to the several thousands that have already died in the shelling and firing on ordinary Gazans. A genocide of unspeakable proportions is being carried out while the world looks away. Just a few days ago, a UN Independent Commission of Inquiry has released a report calling Israel’s actions a genocide.
The latest blow to peacemaking efforts in this conflict was the bombing of Qatar by Israeli Defence Forces, while a meeting with Hamas leaders was underway in Doha. This made the news headlines, of course. While Israel might claim it acted independently, it is obviously with the knowledge and tacit approval of their US allies.
At the moment it looks like Trump will get what he wants in both conflicts. By making Ukraine agree to Putin’s demands. And by getting his Middle-East Riviera in Gaza! It will be over the dead bodies of thousands of Gazans and Palestinians, and in complete violation of international laws in both conflicts.
Let us look at who has greater leverage over the attacking countries in both conflicts and who should therefore, shoulder greater responsibility in ending the crises. In the Ukraine conflict, it is China who has greater leverage over Russia, even if Trump thinks he is the one who can bring Russia to the negotiating table and end the war. Because China’s leverage is economic, and Russia is counting on it. In the Middle-East conflict, it ought to be the US that has greatest leverage on Israel, but it has miraculously failed to use any of it, both in Biden’s term and in Trump’s till now. The war is now a regional one, which is what the international community feared at the start of the conflict.
What does India have to do with any of this? Nothing whatsoever, in my opinion. If India’s stopping buying Russian oil can end the war in Ukraine as many presume, why don’t the US and western allies stop sending military equipment and assistance to Israel?
But because the US has failed to end the Middle-East conflict and has only exacerbated it, I had suggested right at the beginning that all countries in the region – Arab and non-Arab – work on a peace plan to end the conflict and to work towards the two-state solution. This ought to be done through the UN, and the international community – including western powers who have a history in the region – must agree to the solution as devised by the countries of the region themselves. After years of interfering in the Middle-East, it is time we left it to the Palestinians and their neighbouring countries to decide their own fate and their own state.
Perhaps the Nobel Peace Prize should go to them. Though an independent state of Palestine would be a more just and deserving reward for the people of Gaza and Palestine.
The animated owl gif that forms the featured image and title of the Owleye column is by animatedimages.org and I am thankful to them.
Peripatetic Perch 