Love Thy Neighbor, Right? Right…?

Some months ago, listening to the Lex Fridman Podcast interview with Benjamin Netanyahu, I was impressed more than anticipated as the oft prime minister of Israel provided a cogent and, on the surface, quite rational lens of the Israel-Palestinian relationship.

HE cited the history, current struggles, need for security measures and level of control, and a particularly compelling and on the surface compassionate view of the future of the incredibly complex and volatile relationship.

I also have inexpertly followed Bibi and his ambitious, often controversial and bombastic leadership, along with his alleged corruption and attempts at power centralization, these past 15 years roughly.

His approach to the eighty year old ongoing conflict has been the target for my immature anger many, many times. He — and other right wing jingoistic hawks of any nation — represented the very worst of humanity in my eyes.

Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, though not any sort of outstanding moral compass in their statements and actions — their rocket fire, terrorist attacks, and statements of annihilation of a people are wholly unacceptable, if not understandable given the conditions of their nation’s existence — have represented an “underdog” to me, as they have for many; the guardians of an oppressed people.

There is much truth and validity in that, which ought to be recognized. But also a recognition that there are no saints. No winners and losers. No heroes or valor.

Fighting for freedom can be noble, but violence is unconditionally tragic.

It is no surprise now that this unspeakable tragedy has unfolded . The volatility in the region is obvious, but really cannot be overstated.

There is a dramatic gap in military capability and resource availability, among so many inequalities; a punishing trade embargo; and importantly, the total inability and obstinance of both states in failing to meet the preconditions for peace talks.

These preconditions, would merely allow them to arrive at discussions, which with good fortune and sincere effort may then potentially lead to peaceful and progressive solutions, finally making the whole world a safer place.

A collective “oof…” please.

I am not in any way intending to be flippant. It feels so idiotic, so utterly frustrating and stupid — as well as the obvious tragic and horrific — that we have to risk our children’s future in this and similar contemporary conflicts.

There are so many dangerously existential events converging at this time, and now another Revelations-type moment where we all have to hold our breath at the potential unfolding of a flaming matchbox among dry tinder.

That is to say, we need to watch as one nuclear nation declares war on a nation who has been sworn protection by a much larger and more dangerous nation, who likely have nuclear capabilities to some degree — Iran.

The US is pledged to defend Israel and our regional interests.

Iran may induce a desperate China or Russia to its aid. You see where all this can go.

There is no right. There is no wrong. These feuds are beyond that now, and threaten us all relatively equally.

Be it Israel v. Gaza, Russia v. Ukraine, China v. Taiwan, China v. India, India v. Pakistan, US v. World — these potential catastrophes, games of strategy for leaders of nuclear armed nations, are all abominations on the face of humanity.

Each is a relic of a world system which no longer exists, where a single, dominant, world hegemon ruled, and regional hegemons competed for dominance.

Where civilizations clash, but only in the minds of academics, and in imagined realities where nations end history by accepting the obvious final form of human organization in the form of western liberal democracy.

They are notions based on fairy tales about human nature, made by men deeply scarred by two world wars in the first half of the last century and the dangerous aftermath we have yet to resolve. Their view is not now, nor ever was, a real thing.

We must demand peace in the face of these converging conflicts.

They may appear relatively isolated, but in no way is that the case.

Think only of the supply chain crisis we still experience to a degree due to Covid. Any one of these conflicts will incite mass economic disruption and supply chains, and could destabilize the balance of any of the other conflicts.

And I hate to say it in many ways, because I have carried strong opinions about the circumstances in the past, but when it comes to threatening the world, I sincerely do give a decreasing amount of fucks about the details of these various conflicts, at least insofar as they are causing real death and destruction and threatening the entire planet.

It is so… dumb.

Not that historical grievances, differences of culture and religion, border disputes, and land (or sea) grabs aren’t valid reasons for outrage and severe response, by any means. But to induce violence that will inevitably cause suffering on large scales.

Really?

Remember when Russia actually invaded? Of course fighting in Donbas and eastern Ukraine had been occurring for years, and Crimea was long since annexed, but the actual large scale movement of troops was absolutely surreal.

It frankly is still difficult to ponder.

None of the major power brokers is ignorant of history. They are surrounded by the very greatest strategists and intelligence officers in the world. How can we still create such dangerous conditions, given the brainpower behind the decision making?

Because we’re all dumb.

Like real, real dumb. Our best and brightest have simply led us to the brink of collapse. Shit, I have. I’ll take credit. The first half of my life was lived in American opulence and ignorance. All my habits and selfishness, all my hubris. I absolutely perpetuated the circumstances of today’s existential mess through my participation.

I’ll do my best not to point any fingers at the audience.

But it doesn’t really matter. Blame doesn’t help. We must demand our institutions themselves, worldwide, start growing the fuck up. And we are of course. We already are. It is happening, despite what could only have been our best collective effort.

I hope we do so in the most timely and meaningful way possible.

Pray for peace, please.

Advocate for an end to this apocalyptic violence.

But make your own inner world the peace you seek.

These things are happening. They were always going to, and perhaps we’ve always been warned, though we could hardly be blamed, in truth.

I love you. Please keep well with your dearest ones.