Whose Ground Zero? Competing Perspectives of the Israel-Hamas War

Policy Brief Summary

Overview:

• This article was written by Kristina Kausch, published by the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
• It delves into the shifting global perceptions regarding the moral stance of Western countries in international conflicts, particularly focusing on the Israel-Hamas war and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• The piece highlights the growing global outrage against perceived Western double standards and the potential long-term impact on international relations.

Key Quotes:

1. "The United States’ and Europe’s perceived moral waywardness on Ukraine and Gaza is provoking global outrage and risking lasting damage to their relations with non-Western allies."
2. "The West’s relative isolation on the Gaza question heralds a potentially significant loss of global soft power from which China, Iran, and Russia can gain."

What They Discuss:

• The author examines the response of the international community to the West's handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• Over 13,000 civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip following Israel's response to Hamas' attacks are highlighted.
• The article discusses the UN General Assembly's vote favoring a truce and adherence to international humanitarian law, with Western opposition or abstention.
• It explores the broader implications of these events on transatlantic relations and global perceptions of Western moral principles.
• The piece reflects on the strategic moves of autocracies like China, Iran, and Russia in exploiting these situations to gain soft power.

What They Recommend:

• Kausch recommends that Western powers develop a more insightful understanding and nuanced policies towards today's dynamic and complex global alliances.
• Emphasis is placed on the need for the West to address its perceived double standards to maintain global influence and credibility.

Key Takeaways:

• Western countries face growing criticism for their perceived moral inconsistencies in international affairs.
• This criticism risks causing long-lasting damage to their relationships with non-Western allies and diminishing their global soft power.
• The situation presents an opportunity for autocratic nations to increase their influence in the developing world.

This is a brief overview of Kristina Kausch's work from the German Marshall Fund of the United States. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full article.