‘Might is right’: How the Middle East conflict has shaped Asia

Rockets are fired from Gaza City towards Israel on October 7, 2023. Dozens of rockets were fired from the blockaded Gaza Strip towards Israel on October 7, 2023, an AFP journalist in the Palestinian territory said, as sirens warning of incoming fire blared in Israel. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP)

Rockets being fired from Gaza City towards Israel on Oct 7, 2023.

PHOTO: AFP

Lin Suling

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SINGAPORE - Developments in the Middle East have thrown up several hard lessons for Asian countries, including the point that the use of force to settle scores seems to be an acceptable course of action in today’s world, and that Asia needs to be self-reliant.

While Israel’s relentless retaliation in Gaza against the brazen

Oct 7 Hamas attack

on its soil a year ago has unsurprisingly roiled sentiments in South-east Asia, home to some of the largest Muslim communities, less anticipated was how strong and widely felt the reactions have been across a broad middle of Asian societies.

‘Might is right’: How the Middle East conflict has shaped Asia

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