A seminar at Jahangirnagar University addressed the crises in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, featuring discussions led by Palestinian Professor Abd al-Fattah El-Awaisi. Highlighting the casualties of the Gaza conflict, the seminar critiqued U.S. foreign policy and regional power dynamics. The event emphasized the humanitarian impacts and raised concerns over the future stability of the Middle East.
A seminar titled “Leviathan in the Levant: Exploring Crises in Palestine, Lebanon and Syria” took place at Jahangirnagar University in Savar, Dhaka. Organized by the university’s international relations and philosophy departments along with the Teachers-Students Centre, the event featured significant discussions on geopolitical issues. Prominent speakers, including Palestinian Professor Abd al-Fattah El-Awaisi, addressed the impacts of the Gaza genocide on the Middle East’s stability.
Professor El-Awaisi highlighted the devastating effects of violence in Gaza, emphasizing that approximately 50,000 Palestinians have died, 70% of whom were women and children. JU lecturer Muhammad Ullah presented on political dynamics in Palestine, while Rashidul Islam and Irfan Sadik debated the chaotic impacts of regional powers, using metaphors from literature to depict the situation.
Discussions included critical views on U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump, who was characterized as a peacemaker while allegedly endorsing oppressive actions by Israel. The ongoing tensions in Gaza and Lebanon were framed as actions of a “Leviathan”—a monstrous force poised to strike again. Mentioned in discussions was Iran’s weakened position against Israeli power, suggesting challenges for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah due to political shifts in Syria.
The seminar was chaired by Professor Mohammad Golam Rabbani and was moderated by Professor Munir Hossain Talukder. The welcome address was delivered by Tasmia Persoob, the JU international relations chairperson. The program also included poetry recitations by faculty members and local poets, enriching the academic engagement with artistic expressions related to the seminar’s themes.
The seminar addresses critical regional crises, particularly the ongoing struggles in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. It aims to highlight the socio-political and economic repercussions of conflicts within the Middle East. By bringing together academics and experts, the event seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the geopolitical landscape and its historical context, particularly concerning Israeli-Palestinian relations and regional power dynamics involving Iran and its allies.
The seminar underscored the significant toll of conflict in the Middle East, particularly regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It also scrutinized the international political landscape and the implications of U.S. policies relating to Israel. Discussions revealed the profound challenges to regional stability and raised concerns regarding the fate of Palestinian and Lebanese societies amid ongoing turmoil.
Original Source: www.newagebd.net
