A Glimpse Into the Future: Israel, Gaza, and the Rise of Unthinkable Consequences
Every now and then, I peer into my crystal ball, but it’s often a dark and unsettling place. The willingness to look where others shy away from has its own brand of nihilism. It’s not about championing evil; it’s recognizing that evil is everywhere. It’s not about picking sides, but about acknowledging uncomfortable truths.
Why am I doing this? Simply put, it’s because the endless parade of pundits offering national security advice on television often seems as misguided as mules braying for apples. Here’s my blunt opinion: hand me that apple.
The State of the Punditry: What Happened to Common Sense?
The level of cluelessness I’ve seen from these talking heads is almost surreal. Some claim we can’t defend our allies without a speaker of the house. Let’s break this down: the War Powers Act grants the President broad authority to act and allocate funds. To suggest that the U.S. can’t respond effectively to crises in Ukraine and Israel due to political gridlock is utterly absurd.
A trillion-dollar military juggernaut at our disposal, and we’re supposed to believe it can’t function due to a single senator’s hold on promotions? Ridiculous. If blocking a few thousand promotions is enough to paralyze the U.S. military, then it’s time to clean house and retire all the generals.
And then there’s the laughable claim that President Biden won’t help Israel because of upcoming elections—an argument that holds no water. Wartime presidents often see a boost in approval ratings, so it’s hard to buy into this theory. Let’s cut through the noise.
Debunking Talking Points: The Reality Behind Gaza and Hamas
One of the most prevalent yet misguided talking points is that “Gaza is not Hamas.” This simply isn’t true. Hamas couldn’t exist without Gaza, and Gaza wouldn’t exist in its current form without Hamas. The support for Hamas is not some isolated incident; it’s deeply embedded in the society it governs.
The argument “remember the children” might sound noble, but it falls flat when we consider past global responses to similar situations, like Russia’s backing of Syria’s use of chemical weapons on civilians. Words, no matter how well-intentioned, are hollow without actions to back them up.
The Bloodshed Ahead: What’s Likely to Happen Next?
So, what can we expect in the near future? Let’s look at two possible scenarios.
Option 1: The Ongoing Punishment of Gaza
In the most likely scenario, Israel will continue its relentless campaign against Gaza. Expect to see the destruction of 5 to 15 percent of Gaza’s infrastructure. Thousands will die. The pressure on Israel to soften its response will mount, but they’ll push forward, their resolve hardening with every lost life.
But don’t forget the domestic politics here. Watch how U.S. political figures, especially those aligned with the MAGA movement, use “IRAN” as a bludgeon against President Biden. Their inflammatory rhetoric will only fuel the fire.
What about the hostages? If Israel hasn’t acted within the next week to rescue them, it’s likely that no rescue mission will be attempted. The laws of armed conflict don’t apply in these situations, and moral debates will have to wait until the fighting ceases.
Option 2: An All-Out Devastation
Alternatively, Israel may decide that it’s time to completely dismantle Gaza’s ability to harm them ever again. With a military arsenal capable of overwhelming Gaza’s defenses, they might choose to wipe out a significant portion of the Gaza Strip.
Imagine a destruction on par with the firebombing of Tokyo or the Blitz in England—massive, indiscriminate, and catastrophic. Modern society has grown disconnected from the realities of high-intensity warfare, but history tells us that humanity is capable of unimaginable brutality when pushed to the edge.
Could Israel really destroy half of Gaza’s population? Unfortunately, yes. It’s a possibility that can’t be ruled out. The only question is how long before the international community steps in—if at all.
The Unsettling Truths: War, Politics, and Humanity’s Darkness
What about Western nations? Most of them have enjoyed peace for nearly a century and have outsourced war to a small segment of their populations. They’ve forgotten the lessons of history and are now caught off guard as conflicts ignite in places like Syria, Ukraine, and Israel.
So, what should we look for in the coming days?
Escalating Violence and Political Games
Expect hostilities to escalate rapidly. Meanwhile, the political class will trot out familiar phrases like “war crimes,” “proportionality,” and “world courts.” But let’s be honest: the winners of wars don’t get prosecuted for war crimes. These tribunals have lost much of their credibility, and the United Nations has largely failed to take meaningful action.
And don’t expect much support from Arab nations. Egypt’s blockade of Gaza is a prime example of the fracturing political will in the region. The Arab world, despite its rhetoric, has largely abandoned Gaza. Their response will be a mix of vocal condemnation and minimal action.
The End of Iran’s Leadership?
As for Iran and its support of Hamas, expect the Iranian leadership to face severe consequences. Over the next few weeks, we might witness an unusual number of political figures from Iran and Hamas suddenly disappearing from the scene—politics by other means, you might call it.
Looking Ahead: A World on the Brink
The coming weeks will be pivotal. Israel has a window of time in which it can seek vengeance for the attacks on its citizens, but soon, the world’s opinion will shift. Whether this shift will lead to sanctions or military intervention remains uncertain.
But one thing is clear: the world is on the brink, and the coming days could reveal far darker outcomes than anyone expects.
