The Middle East: Facing Hard Truths

“The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.” — Flannery O’Connor

Flannery O’Connor’s words hit hard as I confront the Middle East—a region where truths are layered, uncomfortable, and easy to ignore. Over coffee last week, I realized I’d long treated its history like background noise: same conflicts, different decade. News soundbites offered little clarity, and the Israel-Palestine struggle felt too overwhelming to unpack.

But the conflict refuses to fade. A few podcast interviews with geopolitical analyst Firas Modad, jolted me out of detachment. They challenged me to look beyond headlines and dig into the roots of this enduring crisis.

A Brief History

The Israel-Palestine conflict traces back to the late 19th century, when European nationalism and the collapse of empires birthed Zionism—a movement for a Jewish homeland. Though other sites were considered, Zionists ultimately turned to the biblical Holy Land, with British colonial backing. Since the land was already home to a Muslim-majority Palestinian population, tensions flared.

Zionism, blending ethnonationalism and colonial ambition, collided with a thriving Palestinian society. Wars, displacement, and broken peace efforts followed. The Oslo Accords of the 1990s aimed for a two-state solution but collapsed amid mistrust, Hamas’s violence, and Israel’s hardline leadership under figures like Benjamin Netanyahu. At its core, this is a conflict over land and identity, magnified by decades of foreign interference.

The Spiritual Stakes

Religion adds fuel to the fire. For Jews, the land represents a divine covenant; for Muslims, it holds sacred history. Judaism’s non-missionary character and Islam’s claim to final revelation often hinder mutual understanding. Yet most Palestinians are not extremists—they are ordinary people enduring systemic hardship. It is nothing less than humane to recognize humanity, first and foremost.

The Geopolitical Game

The Middle East is a chessboard where global powers move pieces with little regard for those on the ground. Iran, filling the void left by weakened Arab states like Egypt, backs groups like Hamas and Hezbollah in pursuit of Islamic supremacy and regional clout. Iran’s support for Hezbollah and recent disruptions in the Red Sea continue to destabilize the region in 2025.

The U.S. backs Israel as a counterweight to Iran, Syria, and Russia. Firas Modad argues this support is existential for Israel—not evidence of Israel dictating U.S. policy. Still, American interventions often backfire, inadvertently strengthening Iran and fueling instability. Gulf States, caught in the middle, juggle pressures from the U.S., Israel, China, and Russia like shopkeepers squeezed by rival landlords.

Following the Money

In my last post, I wrote about the “Money Makers”—elites who profit from division. Defense contractors flourish amid endless war. Oil interests shape alliances. Lobbyists steer U.S. policy to serve profit, not peace. When we fall for simple narratives or back wars we barely understand, we feed this machine. And the cost is steep: Gaza’s families, Tel Aviv’s conscripts, American soldiers—all pay the price.

Trump’s Bold Moves

In his second term, President Trump—advised by figures like Marco Rubio—has doubled down on Israel, pressuring Gulf States to fall in line or face consequences. Firas Modad calls it “competent imperialism.” Trump sees the region as a “hot mess” and eyes Arctic trade routes to bypass it altogether. But Israel’s reliance on young conscripts limits its capacity for sustained conflict. After 18 months of fighting Hamas and Hezbollah, gains are mixed at best. Trump’s strategy risks escalating tensions with Iran and straining fragile alliances.

The Christian Lens

Christian Zionism, often tied to beliefs about the Rapture, drives much American support for Israel. But does prophecy justify geopolitics? Catholic theology sees the Church as the new Israel, while many Protestants merge religious fervor with nationalism, blurring lines between faith and state. Media portrayals often cast Palestinians as aggressors, muting their stories. Are we chasing prophecy—or power? I see innocent people being played and murdered by pawns.

Looking Ahead

A fragile Hezbollah ceasefire holds, but Israeli airstrikes in Syria signal that tensions remain high. Jordan’s instability could open a new front, with Iran ready to exploit the chaos. A Russia-China-Iran bloc grows stronger, and Trump’s push to divide it is a high-stakes gamble. Gulf States remain trapped between U.S. military security and China’s economic pull. This isn’t just geopolitics—it’s a spiritual and moral unraveling.

Conclusion

Last week, I propped up a cherry tree in my yard, hoping it might recover and thrive. It reminded me of the people in the Middle East—bent by conflict, in need of support. America’s bold moves may earn applause, but what of the families left broken? Like Gulf States caught between rival empires, they’re stuck in a dangerous game.

O’Connor was right: truth doesn’t bend to our comfort. Facing it means asking hard questions, following the money, and refusing to normalize violence.

What’s one truth about this conflict that’s challenged you? Share it below—let’s keep seeking answers together.

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