By Dr Nidal Shoukeir
The current state in the Middle East is nothing short of painful and tragic. Can anyone deny it? This region, known for its prophets, religions, cultures, and civilizations, now echoes with the groans of pain and anger due to incessant conflicts, crises, and wars. If it could speak, it would cry out to the world, expressing its exhaustion from being a perpetual battlefield and crisis zone, instead of a symbol of stability and prosperity, given its abundance of resources, history, and aspirations.
Regrettably, the reality today has reached unprecedented levels of escalation, with a scene that appears more disheartening than ever before, amidst a glaring absence of hope. Despite enduring countless tragedies, there are no tangible signs of optimism. On the contrary, the situation continues to deteriorate, dangerously teetering on the brink of chaos.
Recent events, including the October 7th attack and subsequent conflicts like the war in Gaza and related skirmishes, underscore the region’s volatile nature, ready to erupt at any moment. The recent tensions between Israel and Iran have further confirmed the impossibility of stability in this region under the current status quo.
The fundamental issue facing the Middle East today is the uneasy coexistence of two conflicting cultures. They may coexist reluctantly, but they are far from meeting. In this East, there are those who sanctify life while others trade in death and sell it at the cheapest and most disgraceful prices. Yes, in this region, there are many who long for peace while others thirst for wars and the smell of blood. Yes, the problem in this East is the forced coexistence between those who tirelessly work for progress and prosperity and those solely dedicated to spreading chaos and destruction. Yes, the problem in this region is that there are those who live in the present with their eyes on the future, while others are obsessed with the past and dragging the region back to it. Yes, indeed, the fundamental problem today in this East lies in the impossible coexistence between those who have managed to turn the desert and its warm sands into the most modern cities and those who are working day and night to turn its most important cities and its oldest ones into barren deserts of everything except tragedies, misery, and deprivation.
Unfortunately, this is the bitter reality that this region is experiencing today. How can a culture of life coexist with a culture of death? How can a culture of moderation and tolerance coexist with a tsunami of extremist ideas, whether religious, ideological, or social? How can the concept of the modern state coexist with the logic of non-state actors, militias, and thuggery? Frankly, these are all legitimate and essential questions, but they succinctly encapsulate the nature of the current headache that afflicts this strategic and important region.
In light of all this, we ask today, after all these many years of successive woes and tragedies, how long will the culture of demagogues and hypocrites continue to prevail and dominate the fate and path of the peoples of this region? How long will the loud and false slogans raised by some of the people of this region prevent the rise of hope, optimism, and opportunities for success? Isn’t it time for the peoples of this region to rest and sleep soundly, even for a little while, away from tension and escalation? Isn’t it time for hope and dreaming of a better tomorrow, commensurate with aspirations? Isn’t it time to choose life?
The cup has indeed overflowed, and it is no exaggeration to say that the Middle East is “sad,” but it is bursting with sadness, even to the point of despair, from its condition, its horrors, and this endless chain of woes and wars. Today, tears rain down on the ruins of Gaza, its people, its children, and the innocent in that land. It is undoubtedly sad as well for the impossible peace in the cradle of sanctities and Christ. And surely, the Middle East today insists on sadness over the disturbing conditions in Lebanon, from the collapse of the state, humanity, and the model, in addition to its deep sadness over the situation in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and many other countries and issues.
Amid this despair, a French adage reminds us, “Hope keeps life alive,” and indeed, this is what this region needs today more than ever before. This East was meant to remain and to live happily, far from sadness and suffering, and therefore, in these critical moments, it urgently needs those rational and wise voices calling for calm and dialogue, rejecting violence and destruction, and thinking realistically, accurately, and sincerely about the future of the peoples of this region. They are the desired hope and the guarantee of a better tomorrow.
To be fair, we say that this magical and distinctive region has undoubtedly reached the moment of decision and truth today. It has reached the moment of breaking free from illusions and slogans and facing the bitter reality with courage, humility, and support for humanity within it. Today, every individual in this sacred land has a great responsibility that history will remember, namely, the responsibility of choosing the future. Will they cling to hope and choose a “happy Middle East,” or will things remain the same, and will this East remain sad forever?”
The author is Professor of Strategic Communications and Governmental Relations.
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