West Asia Conflict Signals Regional Reordering, Not 'End Of The World' - Academician

By Zarul Effendi Razali

KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 (Bernama) -- The ongoing crises in West Asia reflect a complex and evolving geopolitical landscape rather than a singular, defining moment of global collapse, said academician Professor Raihan Ismail.

Speaking at the Diplomatic Dynamix Series programme on Saturday, the His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at the University of Oxford said developments in the region should be understood as part of a broader historical pattern of conflict and transformation.

“I don’t think necessarily this is it (global collapse), this is the end of all wars. I feel this is another phase of escalation… we’re talking about reordering of the region,” she said, at the programme co-organised by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute, Sunway University, and the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation.

On the Oct 7 attacks by Hamas, Raihan said she believed that opinions among Palestinians remain deeply divided, making it difficult for outsiders to pass definitive judgement.

“I think Palestinians should be given the opportunity to assess whether or not they believe it was the right thing or the wrong thing,” she said.

She also highlighted frustration over the imbalance in how actions are scrutinised, particularly the limited accountability directed at Israel compared to Hamas.

Raihan said narratives surrounding the conflict often fail to capture the full scope of suffering, noting that discussions on genocide tend to emerge only after significant destruction has occurred.

She stressed that Palestinian resilience, often described as steadfastness, remains a defining feature, though it comes at a heavy cost.

“Being resilient is not sustainable if you are constantly pressured… constantly losing your life, your family,” she said.

On broader regional dynamics, Raihan said conflicts in West Asia are shaped by multiple structural factors, including strategic interests, external interventions, and resource competition.

“The region has been so unfortunate… we’re looking at oil in the region; we’re looking at American strategic and security interests in the region,” she said.

She added that the presence of Israel has contributed significantly to regional tensions, describing it as a factor complicating efforts for long-term stability.

Raihan also cautioned against simplistic perceptions of the region as inherently conflict-prone, noting that such views overlook the lived realities of its people.

“I must say they’re just beautiful people… the region has been so unfortunate,” she said, reflecting on her experiences travelling and studying in West Asia.

On the use of the term “Armageddon” to describe current conflicts, she said such rhetoric is not new and has historically accompanied major wars and upheavals.

“When you talk to historians, they will say that conflicts are not new… many talked about the end of the world,” she said, adding that current developments should be seen as part of an ongoing phase of change rather than a final, defining conflict.

She said the region is undergoing a realignment marked by shifting alliances and emerging rivalries, and warned that the longer the conflicts persist, the harder it will be to return to previous conditions.

-- BERNAMA