Academic Paper: Rising Powers in the International System and Operation al-Aqsa Flood: Diverging Stances and Points of Convergence (Arabic)

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Al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies and Consultations has published an Arabic academic paper entitled “Rising Powers in the International System and Operation al-Aqsa Flood: Diverging Stances and Points of Convergence,” by Prof. Dr. ‘Abdul Qadir Dandan.

This paper examines the strategic implications of Operation al-Aqsa Flood on international relations and its profound impact on regional and global stability. Rising powers that challenge Western hegemony, particularly that of the United States, have viewed the event and its repercussions as an opportunity to assert their influence as part of a broader protest movement. Notably, countries such as China, Russia, Brazil and South Africa have responded to these developments with varying positions and orientations.

This paper highlights the impact of Operation al-Aqsa Flood on the emergence of rising powers with orientations opposing those of the West, contributing to a more balanced international stance on the Palestine issue and Israeli practices. It also examines how this shift provided rising powers with an opportunity to position themselves as an alternative to the long-dominant Western influence and to promote their image as advocates of just causes among the region’s peoples.

Initially, the rising powers in international relations held varied positions on Operation al-Aqsa Flood and the Gaza War. Their stances ranged from strongly condemning Israel’s military actions and refraining from condemning Hamas’ operation, viewing it as part of legitimate resistance, to advocating for the Palestinian right to establish an independent state. This was particularly evident in the positions of China, Russia and South Africa. Whereas Brazil and India shared a unified stance, condemning the operation as “terrorist” while emphasizing the need for a Palestinian state. However, their positions later diverged, with Brazil increasingly focusing on strongly condemning Israeli actions, while India’s stance aligned with the policies and ideology of the ruling Hindu Nationalist party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), known for its extremism, support for Israel and affinity with Zionist ideology.

The paper concluded that Operation Al-Aqsa Flood revitalized the Palestine issue, bringing it back to the forefront of the global stage. Emerging powers, led by China and Russia, viewed the operation and its aftermath as an opportunity to assert positions largely opposed to the US stance. This sent a strong signal to Washington that developments in the Middle East are deeply intertwined with the broader transformation of the international system, which remains fragile, unstable and lacking a clear distribution of power. As a result, these powers have gained greater legitimacy in their pursuit of a multipolar world, and in advancing the long, complex process of reforming the international institutional system. Furthermore, this movement, led by these rising powers, is generally seen as supportive of the resistance and the Palestine issue. However, the practical realization of this support depends on several variables, including the ability of these forces to challenge US hegemony and weaken its influence, the capacity of the Palestinian political diaspora to unite and reconcile, and the willingness of the Arab leadership to create a more favorable environment for exerting real pressure on the US and Israel.