The world is in a difficult place. As we go to press, there is much of concern happening, and much uncertainty. We are fortunate in The Movement to be able to draw on a range of expertise to inform our understanding.
War in Europe continues. The Ukrainian counteroffensive is grindingly slow, in a throwback to the attritional trench warfare of World War I. Vast minefields and continual surveillance make any progress difficult.
Full-scale war in the Middle East is becoming more possible. Hamas’ bloody incursion into Israel is being repaid with an extensive and intensive military response. Israel is swearing vengeance and preparing for a ground assault into Gaza.
At the time of writing, both the United States and Britain are moving forces into the area to monitor and provide support. It is also likely they are there to limit civilian casualties.
Escalating Aggression
It seems likely that Hamas has multilayered objectives. It wants Israel to overreact – and to kill as many Palestinian civilians as possible – because, if Israel overreacts, this will damage its relationships with the Arab world and damage its standing in the West.
Israel has been developing better relationships with the Arab states. In so doing, this threatens the power of players such as Iran and terrorist groups they sponsor. In many cases the only unifying principle in political relationships within the region is opposition to Israel.
Israel’s history is full of vigorous responses to attacks. Hamas, like many terrorist groups, operates within civilian populations, using them for a mixture of cover and, when they are attacked, as a form of propaganda, to persuade the world they are in the right.
At the same time, the Peoples’ Republic of China continues its long diplomatic and economic march through South-East Asia and the Pacific. Beijing has recently signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with Timor-Leste. This is not a security partnership, but it is a sign of China’s expanding influence. Its campaigns in the South China Sea and against Taiwan continue unabated.
Practical Steps
Closer to home, the proposal to insert a Voice into the Constitution has been defeated. It is now vitally important that both Yes and No voters, both Labor and Coalition parties, churches and all of us, work together to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians in remote communities.
Nyunggai Warren Mundine and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price provide clear leadership on what needs to be done. They also know it is going to be hard work and the likelihood of sudden dramatic change, although needed, is small.
While looking at the world around us, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. I am a man of faith. I know that God is in charge and has already conquered the world.
God is the great initiator of reconciliation and leads by example. We need to do our part, no matter how small that part is. We must try and avoid hysteria and overly emotional decision-making.
Our Movement is built on the truth of time-tested principles, real lived experience and personal community. We support each other and from there we can do good in the world.
Thank you for being part of making that happen.
