A Land Divided, A Hope Denied: The Two-State Illusion and the Stubborn Weight of History

A land that resists exile

France will recognize Palestine in September. The UK may follow. And Israel, as always, stands defiant. Not just against its enemies, but now against its own allies. It refused to send a delegate to the two-state summit in New York. Said it would play into Hamas’s hands.

But what are the alternatives? Antonio Guterres asked the question that too many leaders duck.

“A one-state reality where Palestinians are denied equal rights and forced to live under perpetual occupation and inequality? Or a one-state reality where Palestinians are expelled from their land? That is not peace.”

There it is. The silence between recognition and rockets. Between the rubble of Gaza and the marble floors of diplomacy. Between a people longing for sovereignty, and a state that insists security means domination.

Gaza has seen conquerors come and go

Oliver McTernan knows this terrain better than most. As a mediator with Forward Thinking, he's spent decades listening to both sides. What he said was sobering.

“Alexander the Great occupied Gaza for three years. Then he gave up. Napoleon lasted two weeks. The one thing about the people of Gaza—they are resilient. They love their land. And they will not leave it.”

That’s not strategy. That’s identity.
That’s not a political position. That’s home.

McTernan recalled a conversation with a senior Palestinian official in Ramallah. A man who, even at the highest levels of government, had never been to Jerusalem. Not once in his life. That is the invisible border of occupation. Not just physical, but psychological. A generation raised behind concrete and checkpoints, forbidden from their own holy city.

A history forgotten, a future denied

What if the real problem is forgetfulness? McTernan thinks many decision-makers are treating this as if history began on October 7. But Gaza is not a blank slate. The occupation didn’t start with Hamas. The pain did not begin with the latest war.

“We’ve had 80 years of a cycle of violence. Nine wars since Israel’s founding. Six major peace conferences. None have delivered.”

He’s not wrong. The two-state solution feels more like a prayer than a plan. But he still believes it’s the only democratic path left. Not through negotiations, but through pressure.

“The international community must say it plainly: the occupation has to end. Israel must recognize a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.”

It sounds simple. It is not.

Rabbis, resistance, and the soul of Israel

Despite the gloom, McTernan sees glimmers of hope in unlikely places. Senior rabbis, some from the Orthodox tradition, are quietly advocating for coexistence. They invoke the teachings of Maimonides, who believed the Messiah would return only when Jews, Christians, and Muslims shared the land in peace.

“They believe the future may begin with two states, but could one day become a confederation.”

Do they have political power? Not enough yet. But in Israel, faith still shapes politics. If these rabbis can reach their communities, things could change.

Meanwhile, other rabbis—aligned with extremist politicians—push in the opposite direction. It’s a tug-of-war between the soul of Judaism and the machinery of nationalism.

On the Palestinian side, a missed chance

McTernan also spoke about what could have been. A European-backed project once brought together Palestinian politicians, businessmen, and students to map their shared aspirations. Despite factionalism, they agreed on one thing:

“Ninety percent of their suffering is rooted in occupation.”

And yet, the world squandered a critical moment. In 2006, when elections brought Hamas to power, the international community recoiled. Instead of engaging a nascent democratic experiment, they punished it.

“Had we supported the outcome of that election, we might not be facing the catastrophe we are witnessing in Gaza today.”

That line stays with you. It stings because it’s not hypothetical. It happened. A door was open, and we slammed it shut.

Conclusion: Not everything broken stays broken

We are told over and over that Israelis and Palestinians cannot live together. That hate is too deep, wounds too old. But who decided that? Who profits from that despair?

“Things don’t have to be the way they are today,” McTernan said. “This idea that they can’t live together must be challenged—and it can be.”

Maybe it’s not peace that’s impossible. Maybe it’s imagination that’s missing.

Key Quotes from the Interview:

• Antonio Guterres: “There is no security in occupation.”

• Oliver McTernan: “The people of Gaza are extraordinarily resilient. They love their land. And they will not leave it.”

• On failed negotiations: “Six peace conferences in 80 years—and still, nothing has delivered.”

• On religious leaders: “Senior rabbis believe Muslims, Christians, and Jews can share the land. It’s a theological foundation for peace.”

• On 2006 elections: “If we had supported that democratic result, Gaza might look very different today.”

Iran Unwatched: The Death of Nuclear Accountability

 The cameras are off. The inspectors are gone. And Iran's nuclear sites are once again shrouded in uncertainty

Not exactly the kind of thing that helps you sleep better at night, right?

The UN's nuclear watchdog—the IAEA—has quietly pulled out its inspectors from Iran. This comes after Tehran suspended their cooperation, claiming that Israeli attacks on its nuclear facilities were carried out with foreign complicity, perhaps even with UN knowledge. Accusations, denials, diplomatic silence. And now: blindfolds.

Do you ever get the feeling the world is just sleepwalking into another crisis?

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The Last Trust Is Gone

For years, the International Atomic Energy Agency had been the one thin thread connecting Iran to the global nuclear order. Despite public showdowns and sanctions, Tehran had, more or less, allowed IAEA inspectors to monitor its uranium enrichment sites.

Not anymore.

After a mysterious April strike—reportedly an Israeli sabotage operation—Iran cut the cord. Inspectors were shown the door. As of June, according to the IAEA's own public statement, there are no longer any effective monitoring or verification activities underway in Iran [ source ].

And it's not just about losing access. It's what comes next.

No cameras. No logs. No data.

Just a shadow of centrifuges spinning underground. Maybe for energy. Maybe not.

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The Nuclear Deal Is Dead. We Just Haven't Held the Funeral.

Remember the JCPOA? That 2015 deal that froze Iran's nuclear progress in exchange for sanctions relief?

Yeah, that's been a corpse for a while. Trump pulled out in 2018. Biden tried CPR but never really followed through. Europe watched, nervously, from the sidelines.

And now?

Iran is reportedly enriching uranium to 60%—a stone's throw from weapons-grade. Experts say that's technically still below the 90% threshold, but functionally, it's like standing on the edge of a cliff and insisting you haven't jumped yet.

Meanwhile, Israel keeps playing James Bond. Assassinating nuclear scientists. Blowing up reactors. Always just enough to delay, never enough to stop. And certainly without any international consequences.

So let me ask: why should Iran—or any other country—keep playing by the rules when its adversaries don't?

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Is the Non-Proliferation Treaty Still a Thing?

This is the part no one likes to talk about.

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was built on a big promise: nuclear haves would disarm over time, and have-nots would abstain. In return, the UN would ensure peaceful use and mutual security.

But today?

• The US and Russia still have thousands of warheads.

• Israel has never signed the NPT, yet it's widely believed to have nukes (and never faces sanctions).

• North Korea walked out, built bombs, and got a few summits out of it.

• India and Pakistan? Not signatories. Both nuclear.

And Iran? Still technically in the treaty. Still officially without a bomb. But punished more severely than several countries who actually built them.

That's not a deterrent. That's a recruitment flyer.

Because if the lesson is: “Get nukes and we'll leave you alone”… then who wants to be the last honest guy in the room?

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The Real Fallout

Let's be real: this isn't just about Iran.

When monitoring collapses, the entire system cracks. Trust this. Precedents are set.

Saudi Arabia has already signaled its intent to match Iran “step by step.” Turkey and Egypt aren't far behind. And if regional players lose faith in the global system's fairness, they'll build their own security guarantees—in steel and plutonium.

This is how you slide from tension to arms race.

And from arms race to catastrophe.

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So who will monitor Iran now?

Maybe no one.

Maybe we'll get more grainy satellite images. More anonymous leaks. Another NYT exposé.

But the era of direct access? Of inspectors walking into nuclear sites with clipboards and Geiger counters?

That might be over.

And if it is, we should stop pretending we have control.

Because the truth is: we're now flying blind in the most dangerous airspace of all.

America and its allies have not regard for the international laws

 In the realm of international relations, it is not uncommon for countries to prioritize their own interests above those of others. This often leads to a disregard for international law and the principles outlined in the United Nations Charter. In recent years we have seen numerous examples of this behavior, particularly from certain powerful nations.

 In recent history, there have been instances where the removal of leaders from power has caused controversy and raised questions about the legitimacy of such actions. One prominent example is the removal of Saddam Hussein from his position as leader of Iraq. While some argued that it was necessary for global security, others criticized the lack of proper authorization from the United Nations Security Council. This has led to debates about whether or not military intervention should be carried out without prior approval from international governing bodies.

 In recent times, there has been an occurrence of a controversial intervention in the region of Libya. External forces decided to intervene without any resolution from the United Nations, which led to a state of chaos and instability in the area. This intervention further complicated an already volatile situation on the ground. What added fuel to the fire was the lack of international oversight and accountability in this particular case, leading to widespread criticism and calls for greater transparency in future interventions. The consequences of such interventions can be far-reaching and long-lasting, making it imperative for all stakeholders involved to exercise caution and prudence before taking any decision that could have repercussions for years to come.

 The situation in Sudan is a glaring example of how external forces can have a detrimental impact on local populations who are already struggling to survive. The interference from foreign actors has only served to sabotage the efforts made by the locals to resolve conflicts within their own country, leading to heightened tensions and prolonging the suffering of those who have been affected by violence and displacement. It is a sad reality that such interference often serves the interests of these external actors, while leaving the local people to bear the brunt of its consequences. The situation in Sudan is an important reminder that we must be vigilant against such actions, which only serve to perpetuate injustice and undermine efforts towards peace and stability.

 These examples highlight the importance of considering all factors before taking action against leaders or governments perceived as threats to global security. It is crucial to ensure that any intervention is carried out with proper authorization and oversight, with a focus on minimizing harm to civilians and promoting long-term stability in affected regions.

 The issue of international law and its selective application has been a cause for concern in recent times. Despite the existence of established rules and regulations, certain countries have been known to violate them with impunity. One such example is the military actions taken in Syria without any legitimate sanctions from the international community. It is alarming to note that these nations only seem to remember the importance of adhering to international law when it serves their interests or can be used against others. This trend of cherry-picking principles and turning a blind eye to violations not only undermines global stability but also jeopardizes cooperation among nations.The need for a consistent and universal approach towards international law cannot be overstated,

 It is crucial that countries recognize their responsibility to uphold international law and work towards collective solutions rather than acting unilaterally for their own gain. Only through collaboration and mutual respect can we hope to achieve a more peaceful and just global community.