T
he notion of Donald Trump transforming Gaza into the "Riviera of the Middle East" was met with a collective shrug by the American media, dismissed as another outlandish remark or scrutinized for its real-estate implications. Yet, this utter disregard for the agency of millions displaced and the genocidal war's true nature should come as no surprise. It's merely the latest chapter in a long history of cruelty, with the media's failure to confront the truth rooted in their inability to reconcile the competing narratives of decolonization and Holocaust remembrance that have made Middle Eastern peace elusive.

    Pankaj Mishra's new book, The World After Gaza: A History, offers a searing analysis of this pivotal moment. For Mishra, the 15-month war is a defining event of the 21st century, one that converges nationalist and decolonization currents in an explosive manner, with far-reaching consequences for decades to come.

    Mishra's work is a testament to empathy in a polarized conflict, giving voice to both parties and probing their deepest fears and aspirations. He reveals how thin the line is between humanity and its opposite, exposing the complexities of a conflict that has captivated the world.

    In conversation with Mishra, we explore the implications of livestreamed atrocities, how oppressed peoples can mislearn from history, and why Western media has been reluctant to tell the unvarnished truth about Israel and Palestine. We also discuss how indifference to genocide has galvanized a new generation into moral adulthood and why decolonization – not Western nationalism – will shape the future.

    Mishra's book is a clarion call for understanding in a world torn apart by competing narratives. As we grapple with the aftermath of Gaza, his work serves as a powerful reminder that empathy, not indifference, is our only hope for a more just and equitable world.