World at war

Two ongoing wars-one in Gaza, the other in Ukraine-continue to cast a deep shadow over the world, threatening international peace and security. In both theatres, the daily toll of innocent lives—particularly women and children-killed by rockets, drones, and bombs underscores a grim reality: civilians remain the primary victims of political and military ambitions. There can be no moral equivalence between the situations in Gaza and Ukraine, nor between Hamas and the Ukrainian resistance. The war in Gaza was ignited by the October 7 attack by Hamas, a terrorist organisation that massacred nearly 2,000 Israelis and took over 200 hostages back into Gaza. In retaliation, Israel launched an all-out assault on Hamas, with unrelenting ferocity and vengeance. The campaign is likely to continue until Hamas agrees to release the remaining hostages. Yet, in the process, Palestinian civilian areas have been bombarded relentlessly, leaving behind widespread devastation and death. Ukraine, on the other hand, is under siege by a powerful neighbour whose intent is rooted in imperial nostalgia. Russian President Vladimir Putin, having already annexed Crimea in 2014 with little global resistance, believed he could subdue Ukraine in a matter of days. Three years on, the Ukrainian resistance has defied his expectations, humiliating what was once considered a formidable military force. Putin’s war has ravaged Ukraine, but not without tremendous cost to Russia itself. Today, the Russian military relies heavily on mercenaries, North Korean soldiers, and weapons supplied by China and Turkey. In Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions have drawn global outrage, especially as bombings target residential areas, hospitals, and schools under the justification that Hamas fighters are embedded within. But no justification can excuse the indiscriminate killing of civilians. Likewise, Putin’s continued bombardment of Ukrainian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, reflects a desperate and inhumane strategy borne of military weakness rather than strength. The actions of both leaders-Netanyahu and Putin-have brought untold suffering, displacement, and destruction. Their pursuit of dominance has come at a staggering human cost. Both are, without doubt, responsible for the murder and mayhem unfolding under their command. The United States, cannot afford to remain passive with U.S. President Donald Trump-an influential voice on the global stage- willfully doing precious little to speak out unequivocally. His shocking support to Netanyahu and Putin has only emboldened them and pushed the world closer to a broader, more dangerous conflict. Trump’s approach to these conflicts appears less rooted in any moral compass than in what advances his personal-interests, which has been misinterpreted as ‘America’s interests’. He has staunchly backed Israel in its campaign against Hamas, a position driven not by religious or humanitarian considerations, but by the economic and political gains he perceives: lucrative real estate opportunities in a devastated Gaza and support from Judeo-Christian conservative blocs at home. Similarly, Putin seems emboldened by his rapport with Trump. The Russian leader appears to ignore ceasefire appeals, continuing his deadly campaign in Ukraine with the confidence that his association with Trump offers strategic advantages-particularly in enabling the expansion of Trump’s corporate ventures. This is no longer about geopolitical rivalry; it is a moral test of the world’s conscience. The question is simple: will the world continue to watch as thousands of innocents are slaughtered, or will it rise to demand an end to wars waged in the name of power, ego, and vengeance?