Question 4: Why is the Israel-Hamas conflict a true regional and global challenge?

The Israel-Hamas conflict is much more than a border dispute. It began as a fight for existence. And now, day after day, it is becoming into something much more severe. If not stopped, this could cause irreparable damages to global security, regional stability and the world economy.

From border disputes to WWIII

It has never been proven, but it is highly likely that Israel is a nuclear power. Not being a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, makes it too big a risk for comfort. One of Israel’s main challengers in the region is Iran. The current missile exchange between the two states (the 12-day war) showed just how prepared Iran is to hold its own against Israel. Things would be even more severe if Iran and Israel were to engage in an all out war. That would make Iran’s access to Israel’s nuclear arsenal a highly probable risk. 

A risk the US cannot and will not take. Therefore, it will join the fight with more than just two bunker busters. If the US comes in, then China and Russia won’t stand in the sidelines for long. With the three world superpowers (all of which also nuclear powers) in the region, NATO and the rest of the world will inevitably be dragged in. In this hypothetical but quite probable scenario, soon we’ll have the 3^rd World War at our hands.

Setting a bad precedent

The Israel-Palestine conflict and its consequent Israel-Hamas conflict has been going on for over seven decades. For years with no end in sight, it has added to the body count. Turning the land of Palestine into a mass grave. In this last battle, since October 7, Israel has been pushing its will onto the region. Ignoring regional and global warnings, if Israel does win the battle it could set the precedence for many other states to do the same. Actually, one could argue that it was Russia that set the precedence by invading Ukraine. Or maybe it was the US when it invaded Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan. Or was it Germany when it invaded Poland? For history readers, the present conflict is just another example of how governments are indifferent to human decency and the value of human lives. 

It is bad for business

The Middle East is literally the center of the globalized world. Since ancient times, it was a significant trade hub between the West and the far East. Moreover, it holds a massive amount of oil and gas reserves in the world. Escalation could have drastic ripple effects on the world economy. It might disrupt shipment. It could jeopardize infrastructure. Eventually, it could have significant effects on world markets. Stability in the global economy will be at the mercy of this “regional conflict”.

Israel’s current military campaign has gained a lot of attention. Since WWII, no conflict has had so much attraction. Not tribal clashes in Africa. Not China’s treatment of the Uyghurs. Not even Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Why? Because if the wrong conditions are met, it could turn from a “regional issue” to a “global issue” in a blink of an eye.