President Joe Biden hardly appears inclined to consider any diplomatic solution to what may be viewed as perhaps the conflicts being in essence only being escalated further by role played by Washington. These include the Gaza-crisis and the Ukraine-war. Ironically, little or virtually no importance is being given by US to the limited appeal of this stand of its in significant parts of the world. Yes, the superpower has primarily the support of its western allies. But they do not represent the entire world. Certainly, the western media is playing its part in primarily supporting Biden’s policies but it is important to consider two other sides of Gaza as well as Ukraine crises.
Notwithstanding all the diplomatic strategies exercised by United States and its allies, it would be erroneous to assume or even accept that the superpower has succeeded in gaining support of the entire world in its support of Israel and its anti-Russia stands. It is indeed amazing, this limitation has not cautioned Washington in considering and re-considering possible factors which have restricted the entire world from endorsing its stand on these fronts. It is indeed a matter of great esteem for a country to be considered a superpower, for US as the only superpower at present in the same world – which at one time talked of two superpowers, USA and Soviet Union. But when the only superpower seems devoid of diplomatic support sought by it across the world, it also apparently displays presence of reservations preventing other countries choosing not to favor it. In fact, quite a few appear to be giving greater importance to supporting the very nations against whom United States has adopted policies in aid of Israel and Ukraine.
With respect to Gaza-crisis, the decision of International Criminal Court regarding arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas officials, may be viewed as an indicator of what an important global body views continuous strikes of Israel against Gaza. That it has not refrained from issuing arrest warrants against Hamas officials suggests that the decision is not biased or one-sided. Interestingly, the decision has been strongly criticized by US President as well as Hamas. Chances of it being implemented may be viewed as non-existent. But the fact that this has been voiced bears its own diplomatic relevance. It is just another indicator of the hard core reality of the diplomatic prowess of even key powers not being as far-reaching and strong as the same perceive them to be.
In addition, even certain countries viewed as having friendly relations with United States have chosen not to let their diplomatic sovereignty be affected by Washington’s stand towards Israel as well as Russia, regarding Gaza crisis and Ukraine crisis, respectively. In fact, several Arab countries have gone further in displaying a strong support for Palestine and being critical of Israel. This phase has been marked by their showing a regional unity on this front. With respect to Ukraine crisis, quite a few countries have retained their ties with Russia. In other words, anti-Russia of United States has not affected their friendly relations with Russia.
Diplomatically, it may not be wrong to say that Russia has not been cornered by support displayed by US and its allies for Ukraine in various ways. China has its own reasons to support Russia. Iran is also in their camp. India has exercised wise and shrewd diplomatic approach on this front. Proximity of Russia’s ties with countries in Africa and further East, such as Indonesia and Malaysia cannot be sidelined. Against this backdrop, the hype created in the West about United States’ having its way against Russia on Ukraine front loses its relevance. Regarding Gaza-crisis, real news about Israel’s genocide with photographs and videos about suffering spelt for civilians has led to protests even within America against those supporting the same.
Be it Gaza or Ukraine, it is time the question is posed as to who is likely to gain from continuation of these conflicts, except for those supplying weapons for the same? So what is the prime motive for not taking needed steps towards ceasefire in both situations? As mentioned earlier, President Biden hasn’t shown any inclination towards this direction. But has this contributed to enhancing image of Washington as a strong superpower? This may be considered debatable. Nevertheless, what stands out, to date, diplomacy appears to have been totally ignored in the case of Ukraine by US.
Regarding Gaza, it has been confined to rhetoric – referring to need of humanitarian aid and so forth. However, as pointed out earlier, the reality that US approach has not been accepted as apparently desired by Washington by quite a few countries across the world cannot be ignored. To a degree, it is also suggestive of what perhaps is viewed as diplomatically “genuine” by US and its supporters being hardly considered so by others. The issue is not whether diplomatic rhetoric actually giving greater importance to war-game will lead to another World War. Chances are that it will not, given that quite a few countries are exercising shrewd diplomatic strategies, specifically with respect to Ukraine-crisis, choosing not to turn against any major power. If Biden hoped to emerge as a major diplomat by succeeding against Russia in this war-game, luck doesn’t appear to have favored him. Be it Gaza or Ukraine, the two crises would not have reached this stage without being backed by USA in several ways. The stage is now set for President-elect Donald Trump. United States’ diplomatic options are from no angle longer limited on both fronts. But the key question is whether the superpower is keen to consider diplomatic approaches, be it Gaza and/or Ukraine, or not? Diplomatic “Trump-card” will be his, if he seriously opts for ceasefire, but will he?
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).
