As per the UN, a total of 726,000 Palestinian Arabs were forced to flee from their homes between 1947 and 1949. About 2.5 million Palestinians today live in West Bank under Israeli occupation without human rights. 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza are denied adequate food, medicines, access to the world, and economic opportunities. The BBC, CNN and even Al Jazeera news channels lament the plight of the 500,000 displaced persons in Syria. Does anyone in the Western world shed a tear for the Palestinians?

Intervention in Vietnam

The US and its allies fought in Vietnam from 1955 to 1975 to save its people from Communism. About 1.3 million soldiers and almost the same number of civilians died in the conflict. The numbers wounded and displaced must be twice as many. American air raids destroyed most of the infrastructure in North Vietnam. Does anyone in the West regret the misery caused to millions.

Intervention in Afghanistan

The US and its allies intervened indirectly in Afghanistan during the civil war from 1982 to 1992 pumping in over $40 billion dollars worth of arms and financial aid. This enabled the Mujahedeen to evict the Soviets. But there was a minor price to pay; about one million deaths and about six million refugees fleeing to Iran and Pakistan. The US and its allies have been physically fighting the Taliban they helped to create from 2001 till date. Afghanistan has not seen peace since 1982. The misery of the Afghan people does not bother the West.

Intervention in Somalia

The Somalian Civil War from 1991 to date is essentially an attempt by the US and its allies to prevent Muslims from coming to power by encouraging Ethiopia and Kenya to intervene with weapons and funds. This has been done to protect Western commercial interests. The 22-year war has devastated the country and brought untold misery to the people but who cares.

Intervention in Iraq

The US and its allies intervened in Iraq in 2003 to ‘liberate’ the people of Iraq from the ‘tyranny’ of Saddam Hussein and bring democracy. The hidden aim was to protect Israel and seize control of Iraqi oil. About 160,000 civilians were killed in the war. About 2.2 million Iraqi refugees fled to neighbouring countries and another 4.2 million were internally displaced. A prosperous, secular nation has been devastated by Western intervention. Does western media blame the US and its allies for the humanitarian disaster?

Intervention in Libya

The western countries intervened in the Libyan civil war of 2011 on behalf of the rebels and got rid of Gaddafi. About 30,000 people were killed. About a million people either fled the country or were internally displaced including about 300,000 who fled to Tunisia or Egypt. The western countries may have gained control over Libyan oil. But they have failed to bring peace to the country. The killing of the US ambassador bears testimony to that. But they certainly have succeeded in bringing misery to the people of Libya.

Intervention in Syria

The US and its western allies have intervened in Syria because Assad is a friend of Iran and a ‘threat’ to Israel. They have not physically intervened because of opposition from China and Russia. But they have recognized the rebels as the legitimate government of Syria. They are pumping in billions of dollars and providing arms and ammunition. Over 700,000 refugees have fled the country and another 500,000 are internally displaced. The civilian population in the war zone have very little food, water or medical aid. They have no income and no hope. There is no reason why the civil war will not go on for another five to ten years. By then millions would have fled the country. Hardly any building or institution will remain intact. Women and children unable to leave will become destitute. But who cares as long as the media blames Assad and his allies.

Conclusion

It will be seen from above that intervention by the US and its allies in any country in the world has never brought peace and prosperity to that nation. It has only brought misery to the people. Will the Western media acknowledge the facts and encourage the US and its allies not to intervene in domestic conflicts and allow countries to find their own solutions to their domestic problems. Or will they encourage the US and its allies to start a civil war in Egypt by encouraging the opposition with funds, weapons and political support?

Will the media urge the US and its allies to arm twist the Syrian opposition to accept Assad, make peace and alleviate the misery of the people of the country?

Only time will tell.