SSP Diaries | The most powerful nation on earth

MODERN DAY history has accorded this title to a few nations, such as the UK, and the USA, in the 19th to 21st centuries. Ever since the proverbial sun set upon the British Empire, it has become somewhat of a ‘card to be played’ by its successor, the USA. In my opinion, the UK has resigned itself to be a pawn in the political gerrymanderings of the USA. Others, namely the former USSR and the rising China, have positioned themselves to challenge the globally recognised title, but have yet to be declared as ‘dethroning’ anyone.

As the geopolitical environment unfolds today, the power struggle for dominance is playing itself out among the USA, Russia and China. In this ‘game’, the USA has prized position as the most economically developed country on earth and has taken on the role of ‘protector’ of all nations suitably aligned to its interests. Hence, nations have become accustomed to various methodologies employed, such as war, political destabilisations of various designs, and sanctions, to create an environment or climate compatible to that which the US desires.

Even the EU has been subjected to the power of US dominance and has simply fallen in place. This is what allows them to fuel the war effort in Ukraine and conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon with the possibility of a massive conflict erupting in the Middle East soon.

In examining nations wielding power, however, there seems to be a subtle shift taking place in recent times. Israel is an emerging fly in the ointment, the proverbial spoiler. They have been waging war on Gaza since October 2023. This has been done in the most disproportionate manner known to man. The killing of the innocent, in the name of destroying Hamas, has no parallel in history. The pleas of nations, to include the UN, have all fallen on deaf ears, rendering the latter to be truly impotent in the matter of keeping peace. One can only describe the situation as a military solution to ensure the destruction of the Palestinian people and this is not limited to the Gaza.

Israel has deployed across its borders into Lebanon, an act of hostility/war in any language. Such an act is justified by saying that they need to push the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, which supports Hamas, back from areas adjacent to Lebanon’s border with Israel. It has threatened Syria and Iran separately. All these acts go against the grain of international and humanitarian law and the vocal objections of the UN and many states across the globe.

Disagreement with Israel has also been voiced continuously by its strongest allies, namely the USA, UK and EU. Despite all this and the continuous blatant disregard of pleas from the supposedly most powerful nations on earth, Israel has continued its war campaign relentlessly and with ever growing impunity. There has been no talk of meaningful sanctions against Israel. There has only been the unjustified repetitive line of the ‘right to self-defence’, to which the world has grown weary of hearing. Their war machinery has continued to receive supplies in the quantities that allows it to operate as it does, the prospect of a deterrent in the form of the international court has already brought strong threats from their strongest ally the USA. Even the Arab world has remained very silent in the face of Israel’s actions which is somewhat strange as they are not known to be ‘friends’.

With its powerful Jewish political lobby in the USA that commands the attention of both the Republicans and Democrats, equally, Israel finds itself in the most enviable of positions. It is a decisive factor in American politics, one that cannot be ignored by either party, especially in an election year. Israel holds the handle and the US the blade. Israel is calling the shots and not the US. If ever there was political interference in US politics, then in my opinion, this is it. Because of Europe’s dependency on the US’s ‘generosity’ they have no choice but to sing from the song sheet presented by the US. The US is being ‘throttled’ by Israel and Europe is following in tow, displaying a lack of testicular fortitude which, arguably, brought them their former glory.

Israel defies all odds, it displays where the power lies in today’s world, it is now the most powerful nation on earth!