Diplomatic crisis was perhaps never as serious as it seems to be now. When continuity of war takes lead over the same being bought to a halt, the question of diplomacy being even exercised is practically non-existent. Rather, reverse strategy seems to be in play. This was rule of the game, more practically war-moves, when in name of “democratic revolution” or so-called Arab Spring, Arab Winter descended on the affected regions. The trauma still prevails. And this is what probably the powers promoting “Arab Spring” desired, spread their prowess by use of war-strategies, masked as “democratic revolution.” And as parts of world believed this and accepted this as such, little importance was given to deliberating on how can democracy be imported and that too by war-like exercises?
Continuity of Israel-Palestine conflict and Ukraine-war may be viewed as hard examples of greater importance being given to prolong the same, with little or no concern for their spelling virtual genocide for the victims. Humanitarianism is being laid at the altar of power-wielders with diplomatic ethics, norms and all thrust aside, being practically not even being considered. Of course, to a degree, the preceding point maybe questioned by drawing attention to so-called talks being held, focus being laid on “cease-fire,” humanitarian aid being given to survivors and numerous other attempts being made. Certainly, these “moves” cannot be ignored but would have carried greater diplomatic relevance if the ongoing “war” also showed signs of heading towards peace or at least cease-fire. This does not seem to be case either for Palestinians or Ukrainians. The American “diplomatic” stamp laid to their respective war moves by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been marked by visits of both to Washington. What an irony, diplomatic essence of neither seems headed in direction of peace. Rather, as understood – for justification for continuity of war and “aid” of weapons. Earlier this year, US President Joe Biden signed into law a $94bn foreign funding bill, which includes military aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.
Yes, it is accepted, no aggrieved party- whether hit by war-designs of suspected/actual enemies and/or militants can be left isolated/alone to solve its own problem. As a superpower, US does have a crucial role to play on this front. But as developments indicate – on the Gaza front and in Ukraine- hardly any emphasis seems to be given to initiating diplomatic measures to bring either conflict to at least the stage of cease-fire. It seems continuity is being viewed by certain parties as a sign of their “diplomatic” as well as “political” gains and victory. Regarding Gaza, utmost emphasis appears to be given to what the key power holders in Israel desire. Irrespective of whether others in Israel and in US want the war to continue or not, Netanyahu appears bend on its continuity even if it spells targeting hospitals, homes, schools, relief-camps, preventing supply of aid to aggrieved Palestinians and so forth. It is not without reason that recent history has been witness to protests among United States’ student community opposing Israeli strikes against Palestinians.
Where Ukraine-war is concerned, Ukrainians seem to be used as a pawn to diminish power of Russia. Little importance appears to be given to life and property of Ukrainians suffering more in the process. Besides, limited probability of Russia losing to Ukraine and that of its diplomatic strength weakening amidst its own allies – who are not totally pro-US/West doesn’t seem to have been given any consideration. In addition, China has its diplomatic priorities favoring Russia, which certainly doesn’t please the West. The same maybe said about several more countries in Asia, including the Gulf, South Asia and the African continent. Paradoxically, their concerns – diplomatic, regional as well as economic- guide them not to totally sway against Russia or in favor of United States. Paradoxically, limited and/or practically no consideration seems to be given to diplomatic priorities guiding their moves by those primarily allied with the West. This is not simply the case of US and its allies being against Russia and China. Strangely, it also suggests Washington’s refusal to accept/acknowledge as well as recognize diplomatic tilt of certain powers towards Russia, China and also Iran. Interestingly, recent past has witnessed certain key Arab nations’ diplomatic relations with Iran showing signs of improvement.
Notwithstanding hype being raised about the “necessity” of continuous engagement in war-moves against Palestinians as well as their supporters and against Russia over Ukraine, it is time certain key issues were given– if not importance – at least some consideration. Diplomatically, if US, Russia, Israel, Ukraine, Hamas militants and others involved presume that they are heading for some gains, they are chasing a mirage. So, is “victory” being measured by aid of additional weapons to continue the war-moves and face more deaths, greater suffering and so forth? When human lives are used as pawns, assuming that continuity of war will spell “defeat” and/or loss for rival countries, diminution in latter’s strength and that they will be reduced to practically insignificant stature, what does this really suggest? From no angle, this can be viewed as actually diplomacy being given even minimal importance. Extension of one’s reach in any area would bear some relevance if it bore diplomatic recognition and acceptance of the same, without bearing linkage to destructive supply, spread and impact of weapons.
So what can be said about Israel displaying no sign of back-tracking from continuing the Gaza-conflict? Or almost similar stand adopted by Ukraine, with support of US against Russia? Russia, Israel and apparently Ukraine also are, reportedly, now being forced to look beyond their borders for soldiers. Accepting that United States’ prowess as the only superpower remains unchallenged, circumstances demand use of diplomatic measures by Washington leading to at least ceasefire in both areas. But if these are sidelined and/or remain confined to rhetoric, instead conflict is being further fuelled by supply of weapons, this amounts to almost being in the forefront in these war zones. Why blame only Russian and Israeli leaders for their war exercises? When key leaders stumble in exercising needed measures to initiate process for ending conflicts, one is forced to deliberate on whether this also symbolizes their “weakness” at various levels. When leadership weakens, a lot suffers, including democracy and diplomacy. With world aware of what is the level of suffering caused by continuance of these conflicts, exercising diplomatic communication to convince all about their “legitimacy” is least likely to have any appeal for all. Diplomatic crisis was perhaps never so acute as it appears to be now with practically no measure being considered to convince Israel, Russia and Ukraine to stop their conflicts. India and Pakistan have certainly acted far more wisely, during recent decades, in being diplomatic enough in not letting their differences escalate to situation of any open war!
Nilofar Suhrawardy is a senior journalist and writer with specialization in communication studies and nuclear diplomacy. She has come out with several books. These include:– Modi’s Victory, A Lesson for the Congress…? (2019); Arab Spring, Not Just a Mirage! (2019), Image and Substance, Modi’s First Year in Office (2015) and Ayodhya Without the Communal Stamp, In the Name of Indian Secularism (2006).
