Flashback to the 1930s.
The German Reich under Adolf Hitler profiled, hunted, killed and displaced millions of Jews. They were scapegoated as part of a larger Nazi (Nationalist Party) plan to hoist the false doctrine of Aryan superiority. Buoyed by early successes in the annexation of Austria and Czechoslovakia, Hitler then attacked Poland, Denmark, Norway and France. It was largely a military walkover for the well-oiled German war machine.
The world watched in horror. World leaders appeased or courted Hitler for fear of opposing him. Italy’s Benito Mussolini joined him in an unholy alliance. So did Japan’s Emperor Hirohito. An emboldened Hitler then went after Britain and Russia. Japan sneaked up on the US, attempting to cripple her military response capabilities by preemptively bombing Pearl Harbor.
Only then did the world unite against a monster that was creeping up on all. Britain’s Winston Churchill and America’s Franklin Roosevelt quickly set up a counter alliance with what was left of Europe and the help of British colonies. Russia broke off from its earlier deal with Germany and began to push back the Wehrmacht from the East. Together, the Allied powers managed to contain and defeat Hitler’s Axis powers after 5 years of World War 2. But at a great cost: About 100 million dead; four times that number maimed; vital social and economic infrastructure destroyed globally. Humanity started afresh from Ground Zero.
Fast-forward to the 2020s:
The state of Israel under Benjamin Netanyahu has profiled, hunted, killed and displaced millions of Palestinians in Gaza. They have been scapegoated as part of a larger Likud party “National security” plan – especially since the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas. Emboldened by early successes in Lebanon and Yemen in pursuit of Hezbollah and the Houthis – supporters of the Palestinian state agenda – Israel has now unilaterally attacked Iran. It claims it wants to stop the Persian state from fully developing its nuclear capabilities which could threaten Israel and the region. So far, it looks like a military walkover. Who is next on Israel’s hit list?
The world is watching in horror. World leaders are appeasing and courting Netanyahu, afraid to oppose the Jewish lobby and USA – Israel’s enabler. US President, Donald Trump, has joined Netanyahu in an alliance to crush Iran. The European Union is clapping and cheering nervously. The US has now taken the additional step of directly bombing Iran’s underground Uranium enrichment facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.
The elements of another global catastrophe are falling into place: A powerful leader with a sense of entitlement. An excuse. A scapegoat. And a world unwilling to say “enough!”
From all indications, Mr. Netanyahu is no longer just seeking to secure Israel. He is striving to make Israel the policeman of the Middle East. With the active support of US President, Donald Trump. Together, they plan to achieve peace by making war.
These must be happy days for Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Since February 24 2022 when he unilaterally invaded Ukraine, he has been under a heavy moral, diplomatic and military burden – imposed by a disapproving world. Now, two of his harshest critics are partners in crime. How sweet!
The horrors of the 1930s are playing back in the 2020s with frightening familiarity. Between Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito on the one hand, and Netanyahu, Trump and Putin on the other, historians might struggle to find any real differences.
Were Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iran real threats to Israel’s security and regional peace or framed victims and scapegoats of a new hegemonic agenda?
No one can deny that Palestinian leaders and their various support groups have tended to be excessively headstrong and short of diplomatic acumen. But so too are their Israeli government counterparts – for as long as anyone can remember.
It appears the world is dealing with two different characters with identical personality flaws. And a craving for conflict and carnage. Neither side truly believes in compromise as an essential component of negotiation. They negotiate only to win. And to undo the opponent. Not for a future of shared peace and prosperity.
Now that bombs, bullets, assassinations and calls for regime change are the new language of international relations, are the principles of multilateralism and respect for national sovereignty no longer binding? Has the United Nations reached its expiry date?
What is the fate of smaller, weaker nations in this new, emerging world where might is once again right?
Will humanity wake up in good time or will we realize too late that another calamity has overtaken us?
Victor Anazonwu is a writer based in Lagos
