Pankaj Mishra: The World After Gaza - What Will Trump II Mean for Israel, Palestine, & the Middle East
Feb 20, 2025
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Pankaj Mishra, an acclaimed author known for his critical views on global politics, discusses the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, especially post-October 7th. He critiques the Biden administration's failures and explores the implications of a potential Trump II presidency on the region. The conversation delves into Trump's rhetoric aligning with far-right Israeli agendas and the complexity of Hamas's control. Mishra also contrasts international responses to Gaza and Ukraine, highlighting racial biases in public sympathy and the effectiveness of nonviolent protests.
Trump's vision for Gaza as a Mediterranean Riviera reflects a dangerous disconnect from the harsh realities of Palestinian suffering.
The American right's foreign policy shift indicates a troubling return to imperialistic ideologies reminiscent of 19th-century interventionism.
The contrasting global responses to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza expose systemic biases in international sympathy and support.
Deep dives
The Fragility of the Ceasefire in Gaza
The current ceasefire in Gaza is highly precarious, influenced by Donald Trump's proposal to transform the area into a Mediterranean Riviera. This vision undermines any incentives for maintaining peace, as the reality of ethnic cleansing looms over the negotiations. As tensions rise, many believe the ceasefire may soon collapse as it lacks solid foundations, considering the desperate circumstances faced by civilians. The ongoing hostage situations and pressure from various political forces add layers of complexity to an already unstable situation.
Recognition of Palestinian Realities
Trump’s proposal acknowledges that Gaza has been ravaged by destruction, presenting a grim reality for Palestinians who may not have a future in their homeland. This recognition starkly contrasts with mainstream political narratives that cling to ideas of Palestinian land reclamation, despite the prevailing conditions. The lack of acknowledgment from previous administrations about the dire circumstances in Gaza highlights a failure to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Ultimately, Trump’s rhetoric challenges the narratives of those who view the current situation as one where Palestinians can return to their homes, revealing a significant disconnect from the reality on the ground.
The American Right's Shifting Foreign Policy Perspective
The recent shift in the American right’s foreign policy raises questions regarding the legacy of past military interventions and the lessons learned from them. Despite previous claims of moving away from traditional interventionist approaches, Trump's proposals indicate a reversion to imperialistic ideologies reminiscent of 19th-century imperialism. This shift has sparked a complicated discourse about whether the lessons from the Iraq War have truly been absorbed within contemporary conservative circles. As Trump promotes fantastical acquisition plans similar to earlier imperial designs, it becomes clear that there remains a faction within the right willing to embrace interventionist rhetoric under a different guise.
The Lasting Impact of October 7th
In evaluating the implications of the October 7 attack by Hamas, it is apparent that despite their initial operational success, the aftermath has spiraled beyond their control. There are suggestions that Hamas underestimated the extent of Israeli retaliation and the brutal military response that ensued in Gaza. This miscalculation may have inadvertently reinforced global narratives around Palestinian suffering, galvanizing sympathy and drawing renewed scrutiny of Israeli actions. The complex interplay of violence and the resulting humanitarian crisis demonstrates the profound challenges facing the path forward for Palestinians and how perceptions of their struggle might evolve.
The Dichotomy of Western Responses to Conflict
The contrasting global responses to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza underline significant disparities in international sympathy based on perceived statehood and military sovereignty. While Ukrainians have received widespread support as victims of unprovoked aggression, Palestinians continue to endure an identity crisis as stateless individuals suffering under occupation. This disparity often feeds narratives of systemic racism, highlighting perceived biases in how different populations are treated in the global arena. The ramifications of these dynamics raise critical questions about the motivations behind international support and the moral obligations of neighboring countries towards populations in distress.
Pankaj Mishra, author of The World After Gaza: A History, joins The Realignment. Pankaj and Marshall discuss the origins of October 7th, the possibility of the U.S. "owning" Gaza after the conflict ends, why the Biden administration's approach to the conflict failed, and the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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