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'Violence Begets Violence': African Expert Slams West's Approach to Escalating Middle East Conflict
'Violence Begets Violence': African Expert Slams West's Approach to Escalating Middle East Conflict
Sputnik Africa
Following Iran's retaliatory missile attacks on Israel, which came in response to the assassinations of key figures from Lebanon's Hezbollah, Palestine's... 03.10.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-10-03T11:17+0200
2024-10-03T11:17+0200
2024-10-04T11:17+0200
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Warning that the current trajectory is unsustainable and counterproductive, Agbu criticized Israel's perceived strategy of dominance, arguing that it only fuels further violence and does not offer a sustainable solution. He added that while the US and other Western powers have allegedly adopted a stance of neutrality, their inaction has emboldened Israel's actions.He added, "They are working on the assumption that you cannot show weakness in the Middle East."Agbu also lamented the lack of support for African peace initiatives, citing the International Court of Justice (ICJ) lawsuit against Israel by South Africa and Egypt's appeal to the UN Security Council for intervention in Israel’s actions in Lebanon.UN Ineffectiveness Fuels CrisisProfessor Agbu expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in the Middle East, highlighting the UN's failure to effectively address conflicts like the Israeli-Palestinian and calling for urgent reform of the international body.Agbu added, "What we need to do is what many people have called for, if by chance it is possible to do that, and that is a reform of the United Nations itself and the reform of the United Nations Security Council".He also lamented the UN's lack of influence on the ground, despite repeated calls for ceasefires and de-escalation by the Secretary-General. He argued that the UN's inability to bring lasting peace to intractable conflicts like the Israeli-Palestinian dispute raises serious questions about its relevance in the modern world.Agbu further expressed worry over Israel's recent incursion into Lebanon, labeling it a dangerous escalation of the conflict. The incursion, he believes, marks a new phase in the conflict, with the potential for wider regional involvement and unpredictable consequences for civilians in both Israel and Lebanon.He pointed to the vulnerability of Israel in the face of Iranian missile attacks, highlighting the US's crucial role in mitigating the situation. He stressed the intricate web of alliances and interests that are fueling the escalation, emphasizing the need for all actors to heed the UN's calls for diplomacy and de-escalation to prevent further violence and bloodshed.Silencing the PressAgbu condemned the West's censorship of Russian media, including the blocking of Russian media outlets such as Sputnik on Western-controlled social media platforms.The academician believes that the censorship is driven by political interests and a desire to control information flow during conflicts, characterizing it as a form of "information penetration."Agbu argues that countries use these tactics to restrict access to alternative narratives and influence public opinion within their borders.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20241002/with-iranian-strikes-israel-faces-multiple-fronts-further-complicating-situation-african-expert-1068524891.html
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'Violence Begets Violence': African Expert Slams West's Approach to Escalating Middle East Conflict
11:17 03.10.2024 (Updated: 11:17 04.10.2024) Muhammad Nooh Osman
Writer/Editor
Following Iran's retaliatory missile attacks on Israel, which came in response to the assassinations of key figures from Lebanon's Hezbollah, Palestine's Hamas, and Iran's IRGC, Osita Agbu, Professor of International Relations and Vice-Chancellor of Academics at Baze University in Abuja, cautioned the dangerous shift towards a regional conflict.
Warning that the current trajectory is unsustainable and counterproductive, Agbu criticized Israel's perceived strategy of dominance, arguing that it only fuels further violence and does not offer a
sustainable solution.
He added that while the US and other Western powers have allegedly adopted a stance of neutrality, their inaction has emboldened Israel's actions.
"General Assembly has several times condemned attacks from Israel on the neighbors, carries moral authority, but it appears that the powerful countries of the world, especially the United States and other allies from Europe, appear to be on a completely different page," he told Sputnik Africa.
He added, "They are working on the assumption that you cannot show weakness in the Middle East."
Agbu also lamented the lack of support for African peace initiatives, citing the International Court of Justice (ICJ) lawsuit against Israel by South Africa and Egypt's appeal to the UN Security Council for intervention in Israel’s actions in
Lebanon.
UN Ineffectiveness Fuels Crisis
Professor Agbu expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in the Middle East, highlighting the UN's failure to effectively address conflicts like the Israeli-Palestinian and calling for urgent reform of the international body.
"Several times you hear the United Nations Secretary-General calling for cease fire, calling for de-escalation, and it appears that nobody seems to be listening to him. … At the end of the day, he finds out that he's incapable of influencing the situation on the ground," he told Sputnik Africa.
Agbu added, "What we need to do is what many people have called for, if by chance it is possible to do that, and that is a reform of the United Nations itself and the reform of the United Nations Security Council".
He also lamented the UN's lack of influence on the ground, despite repeated calls for ceasefires and de-escalation by the Secretary-General. He argued that the UN's inability to bring lasting peace to intractable conflicts like the
Israeli-Palestinian dispute raises serious questions about its relevance in the modern world.
Agbu further expressed worry over Israel's recent incursion into Lebanon, labeling it a dangerous escalation of the conflict. The incursion, he believes, marks a new phase in the conflict, with the potential for wider regional involvement and unpredictable consequences for civilians in both Israel and Lebanon.
He pointed to the vulnerability of Israel in the face of
Iranian missile attacks, highlighting the US's crucial role in mitigating the situation. He stressed the intricate web of alliances and interests that are fueling the escalation, emphasizing the need for all actors to heed the UN's calls for diplomacy and de-escalation to prevent further violence and bloodshed.
Agbu condemned the West's censorship of Russian media, including the blocking of Russian media outlets such as Sputnik on Western-controlled social media platforms.
"Journalism itself is not a crime, but stopping journalism and stopping pressmen and correspondents from carrying out their duty, and even killing and eliminating them, is a crime," he stated.
The academician believes that the
censorship is driven by political interests and a desire to control information flow during conflicts, characterizing it as a form of "information penetration."
Agbu argues that countries use these tactics to restrict access to alternative narratives and influence public opinion within their borders.
"Journalists should be free to be able to do their will so that you can have that balanced edge around the world for us to know what is happening," Agbu emphasized.
