Two Architects of War, One Dangerous Alliance

It is the 80th anniversary of the fall of Nazi Germany—a historical moment that reminds humanity of its liberation from the darkness of fascism.

However, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a "friendly" telephone conversation to mark this special day, the tone was less about celebration and more about the strategy of self-preservation.

Analysts suggest a strange and dangerous parallel between these two leaders in current global politics. Both claim they are still fighting the ghost of old Nazism—in Netanyahu's case, the enemy is in Gaza, and in Putin's case, it is in Ukraine. Yet, behind this imagined heroism lies the death of thousands of civilians, irreparable damage to their respective national armies, and a deep economic and diplomatic catastrophe.

According to The Guardian, ‘Bibi’ and ‘Vlad’ are perhaps the world’s most wanted criminals and two of its most controversial figures. A common feature of their governance style is extreme cruelty toward children. By killing, maiming, or mentally shattering thousands of children, they seek to sustain their image as ‘strong leaders.’ Consequently, they have isolated their respective states in the international arena.

Morally, both Israel and Russia stand on the edge of a precipice today. War is the primary fuel for their power. In the name of patriotism, they stifle internal opposition. Whenever international criticism arises, they use specific labels as shields—to Netanyahu, a critic is ‘antisemitic’ or a ‘terrorist-sympathizer,’ while to Putin, they are ‘Russophobic.’

Fundamentally, they fear peace like death, because peace would mean the end of their autocracies.

Legally, they occupy the same ground. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants against both on charges of war crimes.

Their political philosophies are also marked by radical hegemonism. Netanyahu and his far-right allies completely deny the Palestinian right to self-determination or the existence of an independent state.

Similarly, Putin refuses to recognize Ukraine as a sovereign nation. At the root of this mindset lies racist ultra-nationalism—on one hand, the unrealistic dream of forming a ‘Greater Israel,’ and on the other, an obsession with restoring the old glory of a ‘reborn Soviet Empire’ or Russian Empire.

Leaders of the European Union and NATO are now alarmed; they believe if Putin wins in Ukraine or escapes punishment, his next targets will be other European countries.

On the other hand, Netanyahu has expanded the war in Gaza to Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria. According to US intelligence agencies, he is also plotting a major attack on Iran to sabotage Washington's nuclear talks with Tehran.

The only mantra for the survival of these two leaders is continuous violence. If the fighting stops, they will have to face accountability. Putin knows that if his military gamble significantly harms the interests of the Russian elite, his days in the Kremlin will end.

Netanyahu’s fear is more direct—defeat in an election means going to prison over the long-standing bribery and corruption cases pending against him. Thus, prolonging the war is a struggle for their own survival.

If the international community truly wants to stop this carnage, there is no alternative to providing adequate military assistance to Ukraine and imposing strict sanctions on the Israeli government.

Notably, they are now using each other as shields. Their telephone conversation may have included strategies to suppress leaders like British Labour leader Keir Starmer, as Netanyahu has recently attempted to exert influence over British politics. Netanyahu seeks to use the Hamas atrocities of October 7, 2023, as a ‘blank check’ for all his unethical actions, which is entirely contrary to international law.

Donald Trump has joined this equation as a third party. The trio—Netanyahu, Putin, and Trump—is now the greatest obstacle to world peace. The policies of Trump’s second term are becoming more disorganized and dangerous than before. During his Middle East tours, he behaves more like a commercial hawker than a statesman. To him, Israeli arms deals and his own image are more important than the starving people of Gaza.

Trump’s personal impulsiveness is placing both Putin and Netanyahu in an advantageous position. Trump believes he alone can solve all problems, but in reality, he is yielding to Putin and causing rifts in the long-standing alliance between Europe and America. Instead of leaving sensitive issues like Gaza and Ukraine to experienced diplomats or military experts, he manages them with his self-obsession. As a result, the soil is stained with the blood of more children every day. To break this destructive cycle, a united stand from world leaders is required, along with an end to the unconditional support for these two warmongers.