Hamas gains expose US as a 'paper tiger'

By Janna Kadri
Source: Al Mayadeen English
16 Oct 2023 00:53
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The element of fear is no longer on the Palestinian side, but on the Israeli one.

The US; a paper tiger (Illustrated by Arwa Makki, Al Mayadeen English)

The situation in Gaza is deplorable. When examined objectively, it bears the hallmarks of genocide in every sense of the word. Hamas has initiated a surprise attack, which the mainstream has labeled a "terrorist" move. However, when we delve into the historical factors that have contributed to this escalation, it becomes apparent that it is a form of justified retaliation. For over the past half-century, the Gaza enclave has endured a form of occupation that entails controlling and restricting the free flow of people and goods in a bid to choke the civilian population, resulting in unspeakable living conditions.

Some international parties have advocated for a "two-state solution". However, the nature of the Israeli entity, which is based on an apartheid form of governance, renders such a scenario unattainable. In the context of seeking peace, a practical solution would either entail a significant compromise between both parties or for one to prevail over the other. Akin to Nazi Germany, the fundamental challenge in seeking compromise is deeply rooted in the fact that "Israel" is a Zionist entity, which, in turn, fails to acknowledge the human aspects of the Palestinian people. This situation logically makes it impossible for the Palestinian people to live peacefully, subjecting them to a systematic and ongoing struggle for their very existence.

Beyond resistance

In war, when generals or politicians make decisions that have the potential to dramatically alter the balance of power, they tend not to prioritize the potential number of casualties. What matters, instead, is the assessment of the weight of risks or gains associated with a particular course of action. When Hamas fighters took captive several Israeli settlers and foreigners, they were aware that "Israel" would not entertain any compromises to secure the release of the captives. Israeli Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi himself declared that there is no chance of engaging in negotiations for a prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas. Hence whether dead or alive, the fate of these captives already appears to be sealed.

Given these considerations, the goal of the Palestinian operation is not to earn some rights in the likes of breadcrumbing or superficial concessions in exchange for captives. The goal is no longer even about "resisting" something. If there can be no grounds for negotiation with an apartheid regime whose only aim is to erase the Palestinian people from the realm of existence, then the sole viable course of action is none other than to obliterate Zionism in its entirety, including those who uphold it as an unquestionable truth and ideology. In other words, the objective of the operation has moved beyond the mere concept of "resistance" to that of "liberation".

But what matters most at this point in time is to examine the changing regional and geopolitical landscape. On the surface level, despite a few statements, it appears that China and Russia seem unbothered by this genocide. One may think that global powers are simply trying to avert a nuclear winter. However, the reality of the situation reveals much deeper complexities and strategic considerations that influence the responses of these global powers.

Big, scary carrier

The US says it sent an aircraft carrier, the biggest in the world, to assist the Israeli occupation forces with its efforts to thwart Hamas. It is also being used as some sort of scarecrow to avoid possible escalations on the part of Hezbollah. So far, the US-provided munitions have only served to carpet-bomb the densely populated Gaza. With some white phosphorus thrown here and there, hundreds of buildings turned into rubble, and several families scrapped off civil registries, the "most moral army in the world" hopes to secure a clean victory by exerting an immense amount of psychological pressure on Hamas fighters.

But that strategy is failing. Hamas is continuing to make advances in its liberation operation by targeting settlements and military posts, shaking the Israeli intelligence apparatus down to its core. Despite being intercepted, one missile fired from Gaza was able to reach the northern territories. But since the IOF announced their plans for a ground invasion, the situation has remained somewhat idle. Ahead of "zero hour", the IOF have lined up their tanks near the Gaza enclave and is now mulling whether or not to launch its offensive. The decision is not an easy one. If they do enter Gaza, another front will open up at the Lebanon border, with the possibility of more of Syria forming a state-affiliated brigade at its southwestern borders.

Psychological warfare no longer effective

Iran has recently communicated via UN channels its intention to intervene if the war on Gaza further escalates. Shortly after, news reports revealed that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken privately asked China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, to intervene in mediation efforts for the implementation of a ceasefire in the conflict. Knowing that a ceasefire is objectively unrealistic, Yi said in earlier statements that the issue lies in a lack of justice toward the Palestinian people. In his response to Blinken, Yi said the US should assume a "constructive and responsible role" in its capacity to restore order, while implicitly conveying that the US has played a key role in spreading chaos and disrupting the whole region.

The US has traditionally expanded via means of militarization and destruction. It is structurally incapable of implementing any sort of substantial truce agreement because it is not wired to do so. For the US to show up with a massive carrier and still be unable to dislodge Hamas off its grounds is a monumental revelation that it no longer has the capacity to exert influence. In China, there is a common metaphorical expression used to refer to something that appears powerful or threatening on the surface but is, in reality, weak or ineffective. This is what the US has aptly become: a paper tiger.

Vladimir Putin has likewise raised the point into consideration. When asked if the aircraft carrier was sent to bombard Lebanon, his response was, "I don't understand why the United States is dragging one of its aircraft carrier groups there [...] Is [the US] going to bomb Lebanon or did they decide to scare someone? But there are people there who are no longer afraid of anything."

The US is a paper tiger

The absence of fear underscores the reality that the US no longer holds the same level of influence or dominance it once had. Whatever the outcome of the war on Gaza, this serves as a stark indication of shifting global power dynamics which no longer seems to align with the unchallenged supremacy the US once possessed. But given the progression of current events, it is imperative to keep a close eye on how the US will adapt to this evolving landscape.

It would be wrong to assume that the operation has failed solely because Israeli forces have determined that captives are no longer a relevant factor in establishing grounds for compromise. What only matters is that Hamas is continuing to make strides in its project of liberation - and, above all, that the element of fear has shifted from the Palestinian side to the Israeli side.