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The Media and The West: Exposing Double Standards in Global Conflicts

Vidya Bhushan Rawat

In the aftermath of the Ukraine war and the ongoing West Asian crisis, the role of Western media has been critically scrutinized. Media organizations that once championed liberalism, democracy, and the right to dissent have come under fire for their selective narratives.

Whether it’s CNN, BBC, or other prominent outlets, the integrity of their reporting has been questioned, especially concerning sensitive global issues such as the Ukraine war and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

This article delves into the unfolding crisis in West Asia and examines the biases of Western media, the role of alternative voices, and the geopolitical implications of these conflicts.

The Bias in Western Media: Ukraine and Palestine

In the last year, Western media giants like BBC and CNN, which previously prided themselves on being the beacons of democracy, freedom of speech, and respect for dissent, have seemingly strayed from their principles.

Particularly in their coverage of the Ukraine war and the Palestinian issue, their once-celebrated neutrality appears compromised.

The One-Sided Narrative: Israel’s Right to Defend Itself

Journalists from both BBC and CNN have come forward to reveal the internal pressure to push a narrative that justifies Israel’s actions. The narrative “Israel has the right to defend itself” has been dominant, even when experts have highlighted the atrocities committed by the Israeli regime. These actions, according to critics, violate numerous international norms that Western leaders frequently advocate for.

While Israel is afforded the right to defense and the green light for aggressive military campaigns, the West denies Russia the same leeway in Ukraine. If Russia, hypothetically, executed similar actions in Ukraine, flattening cities like Kyiv, the global outcry would be immense. The hypocrisy is glaring: Israel’s campaigns are often portrayed as justifiable defense, whereas Russia’s actions are condemned as unjustifiable aggression.

The Western Leadership: A Crisis of Hypocrisy

The double standards don’t stop at media organizations. Western leadership itself has been exposed as senseless and hypocritical. The ideals of democracy, human rights, liberalism, and freedom of dissent—core tenets of Western values—seem to be applied selectively. When convenient, these principles are set aside in favor of business interests or geopolitical gains.

Is the Global Fight for Dominance?

The wars in Ukraine and West Asia have broader implications than just territorial disputes. They reflect a larger contest over global leadership. For decades, the United States has been the uncontested leader of the world, enforcing its vision of democracy and economic power. However, Russia, along with China and BRICS, is now presenting an alternative model. This new axis challenges the hegemony of the West, and both the Ukraine war and the West Asian crisis are battlegrounds in this larger struggle.

The Suppression of Dissent in the West

It is not only in the international sphere where the West is showing its true colors. Internally, dissenting voices in Western countries are being increasingly silenced. Platforms like YouTube and other social media channels are being co-opted to serve Western interests. Videos and posts critical of American policies or sympathetic to alternate narratives are being deleted, flagged, or hidden under vague anti-terror laws.

Online Censorship and Western Media Hegemony

This censorship is part of a broader trend of media hegemony. Western powers have long used their influence over global media to shape narratives that suit their political goals. However, this hegemony is being challenged by alternative media sources, particularly in West Asia.

Al Jazeera has been at the forefront of providing a counter-narrative to the Western-dominated discourse. With both an English and Arabic channel, Al Jazeera has given voice to perspectives that are often ignored by the likes of BBC and CNN.

Another important player in this space is RTV (Russian Television). Their content provides a fresh perspective that challenges the West’s narratives, particularly regarding the Ukraine war and the West Asian conflict.

The American and European political regimes are so threatened by this that they have attempted to ban RTV in their own countries and even pressured India to follow suit.

Vladimir Putin: A Hero of the Anti-Colonial World?

Much of the West’s fear and distaste for RTV and alternative viewpoints stems from their deep-seated disdain for Vladimir Putin. Like Fidel Castro before him, Putin is loathed by the Western liberal elite.

Why? Because Putin embodies qualities that are increasingly rare among Western leaders. His speeches, interactions with ordinary citizens, and deep understanding of complex issues make him a leader of great substance—qualities that his Western counterparts often lack.

The Putin Phenomenon: Reviving Russian Pride

Under Putin’s leadership, Russia has regained its status as a great power. Not only has Russia re-emerged as a military power, but it is also on the path to becoming a global economic and technological powerhouse. Putin’s Russia is a country filled with confidence, standing tall against Western pressures. This has sparked interest among anti-colonial thinkers and leaders worldwide, who see Putin as a figure who challenges Western imperialism.

The Complexity of West Asia: Russia’s Limited Involvement

Despite Russia’s growing global influence, its role in the West Asian crisis has been relatively restrained. This might seem surprising to some, especially considering the deep ties between Russia and several key players in the region. Israel, for example, has a significant Russian-origin population, and the two countries have historically maintained cordial relations. On the other hand, Russia also shares a close relationship with Iran, a key adversary of Israel.

An all-out war between Iran and Israel would have catastrophic consequences not only for the region but for the global economy. Yet, the Western world, particularly the United States, seems to have an interest in escalating tensions. Their motivations may stem from a desire to sustain a war economy, a tactic they seem to have learned from observing Putin’s handling of the Ukraine war.

Diplomacy Over Destruction

Despite the complex layers of geopolitics in West Asia, one thing is clear: war must end. The ongoing destruction in Gaza, the systematic marginalization of Palestinians, and the Western complicity in this genocide are unacceptable. There can be no lasting peace without acknowledging the historic injustices faced by Palestinians and granting them their rightful state.

The Two-State Solution: A Path to Peace

A two-state solution, where both Israel and Palestine exist as sovereign nations, is the only viable path to peace. Until Palestinians are given dignity and recognition, the cycle of violence will continue. The world must wake up to this reality and push for meaningful negotiations between all parties involved. Escalating the war will only lead to more suffering for innocent civilians—particularly children, women, and the elderly—who bear the brunt of this senseless violence.

The Dangerous Allure of the War Economy

Western leadership has failed to control Israel’s actions, turning a blind eye to the atrocities committed against Palestinians. War economies, which thrive on human misery, seem to be the only beneficiaries of the ongoing conflict. But history has shown us that wars rarely solve anything.

Neither World War I nor World War II led to long-term peace without negotiations and diplomacy. Similarly, the only solution to the Palestinian issue lies in dialogue, not in war.

It is time for the international community to step up and broker peace in West Asia. Without justice for Palestinians, there can be no peace for Israel, and without recognizing alternative global powers like Russia, the West will remain embroiled in endless conflicts.

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