Chris Hedges reports on a recently completed book project based on interviews with 29 families from Gaza and places the current military developments in Gaza, southern Lebanon, and Iran within a broader global context. He describes a new world order in which militarily powerful states act without regard for international law, while institutions such as the United Nations have lost influence. The ongoing conflicts have led to massive destruction and displacement: more than one million people in Lebanon, around two million in the Gaza Strip, and approximately three million in Iran have been left homeless within a short period. At the same time, the role of the United States in the conflict with Iran is portrayed critically, particularly the decision to enter the war despite the absence of an immediate threat, while geopolitical objectives such as a possible fragmentation of Iran and control over its natural resources remain in the background.
It criticizes the way Western states and institutions handle Holocaust remembrance, accusing them of politicizing it. Many Holocaust scholars and memorial institutions have not taken a stand against the violence in Gaza, which undermines their moral credibility. At the same time, a historical continuity of colonialism, racism, and violence is outlined, extending from European colonial crimes to modern conflicts. It emphasizes that genocide is not an anomaly but is deeply embedded in political and social structures. Within Israel, a rise of far-right nationalist forces is also described, influencing political decisions and contributing to escalation.
Finally, increasing restrictions on freedom of expression and criticism in the West are described, including through political measures, media language guidelines, and repression of protest movements. Critics of the wars and Israeli policies are reportedly defamed, excluded, or subjected to legal prosecution. Media organizations have received internal instructions to avoid terms such as “genocide” or “ethnic cleansing.” At the same time, state authorities have threatened sanctions against dissenting voices, including the revocation of broadcasting licenses by the US regulatory authority FCC under its chairman Brendan Carr.