Turkey's 'Peacekeeping' Role: A Familiar Script for Gaza
While mainstream outlets like Al-Monitor frame this as a benign effort, we’ve seen this script before. 'Peacekeeping missions' often arrive after the destruction, not to prevent it. Consider the historical parallel to Lebanon, where international forces were present but largely ineffective during repeated Israeli incursions. One might wonder aloud if these 'task forces' are less about genuine
protection and more about sanitizing and stabilizing a humanitarian catastrophe conveniently for those who enabled it. Critics might point out that if the international community were serious about protecting civilians, they would halt weapons sales to aggressors, enforce international law, and impose sanctions, not just send 'peacekeepers' to oversee the rubble. The U.S., for instance, recently
approved a new $17 billion weapons package to Israel, even as President Biden feigns concern over civilian casualties. How many 'peacekeeping' missions does it take to finally question who profits from perpetual conflict?