Seeking middle ground in Middle East

The collapse of assumptions is like the end of the world-or worldview. We assumed conwith the 20th century. But wars in Russia-Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia and Lebanon prove us wrong. Western defence officials now raise the nuclear threat level.

Britain's armed forces chief Tony Radakin declared, "We are at the dawn of a third nuclear age. It is defined by proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before." Such warnings are ominous. But western threat perceptions are also fuelled by false narratives, a kaleidoscope of selective evidence and wilful distortions. Russia threatens to use tactical nuclear weapons if NATO crosses its redlines in Ukraine. Mainstream west unreservedly accuses Russia of invading Ukraine. But respected American and European historians, left and rightwing groups, openly blame NATO expansion for triggering this war.

Nuclear drumbeat increases, but there is no mention of the US unilaterally withdrawing from its nuclear and missiles treaties with Russia in 2019. Radakin said.

Russia's induction of North Korean troops into Ukraine is dangerous.