The transformations in Palestine and Ukraine, as two different fronts in geography and history, represent profound changes in the international system based on Western dominance since the end of the Cold War. Palestine has challenged the political and moral legitimacy of this system, while Ukraine tests the limitations of Western military and economic power in imposing its will and achieving strategic goals.
Challenges of Palestine and Ukraine in the International System
Palestine is no longer merely a local or regional issue. The war in Gaza has created a deep divide between Western rhetoric about human rights and international law and the actual political positions regarding the Palestinian issue. This has had a negative impact on the image of the West and its legitimacy in the eyes of large segments of global public opinion and even in Western societies. Modern dominance is not solely based on military and economic power, but also on the ability to persuade others with the legitimacy of the accepted system.
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The Digital Age and Social Changes
The digital revolution has contributed to deepening these transformations, as citizens are no longer fully dependent on traditional media and are able to directly observe events, compare narratives, and access multiple sources. In this context, the Palestinian issue has become an important topic in universities, youth movements, and civil society organizations. This issue is no longer limited to who holds power, but also relates to who can convince the world of the legitimacy of their position.
In this regard, the thoughts of Imam Khomeini are particularly significant; he removed the Palestinian issue from its geographical framework and associated it with resistance against domination and oppression and the rejection of dependency. Thus, Palestine is no longer just an occupied land, but a symbol of the will of nations to reclaim their independence and right to self-determination.
For this reason, Jerusalem has taken on political, humanitarian, and cultural dimensions that extend beyond the borders of the Palestinian issue. This perspective has also been developed in the thoughts of Imam Khamenei. He views Palestine as a key element in restoring the balance of power in the Middle East. The continuation of occupation is not only related to Israel's military superiority but also depends on a network of political, security, and economic relations that have historically allowed Western powers to exert influence in this region.
The Resistance Axis and Changes in the Middle East
The Resistance Axis has emerged as a regional factor in defeating Western dominance over power in the Middle East. The emergence of powers capable of challenging Israel's military superiority and U.S. influence has complicated the regional strategic environment and reduced the ability of foreign powers to manage the region based on unilateral arrangements.
Ukraine reveals another side of the crisis; while Palestine has challenged Western legitimacy, Ukraine has tested the West's ability to use economic and military power and translate it into political outcomes. The war in Ukraine has become a testing ground for the future of European security and the balance of power between Russia and the West, shaping international relations, especially between Russia, China, and Iran.
Although these two issues are not similar and each has its own specific history and political and legal context, both reveal different dimensions of the Western system crisis. In Palestine, the contradiction between words and actions is evident, and moral and political legitimacy is eroding, while in Ukraine, the limitations of translating economic and military superiority into decisive political agreements are becoming apparent.
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