Peiman Salehi – Political Analyst & Writer

In recent days, the world has once again witnessed a blatant violation of the ceasefire by Israel and the assassination of several Hamas leaders. These attacks—occurring even as the United States and its Western allies continue to champion the slogans of peace and human rights—serve as yet another example of the double standards applied in international affairs. These contradictions raise fundamental questions about the political philosophy that underpins the global order.

The prominent political philosopher John Locke once wrote: “Freedom has no meaning unless accompanied by justice.” But how can one speak of freedom and justice while the West remains silent in the face of Israel’s crimes? If the war in Ukraine is considered an attack on the “international order,” why are Israel’s ongoing assaults on Palestinian civilians so easily overlooked?

The United States has long portrayed itself as a defender of democratic values. Yet in reality, human rights only occupy a serious place in its foreign policy when they align with its interests. Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger famously stated: “America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests.” This approach has shaped a dual-track policy, where some countries are subjected to sanctions and pressure under the pretext of “human rights violations,” while U.S. allies are shielded from consequences—even when committing clear and egregious crimes.

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A Changing Global Order and the Decline of Western Hegemony

At the same time, Israel’s continued attacks—and the West’s unconditional support—are not only escalating tensions in the Middle East, but also undermining the United States’ credibility as a neutral mediator in international conflicts. Emerging powers such as China and Russia are seizing this opportunity to strengthen their influence among Arab and Islamic countries. The world order is changing, and the West’s double standards are only accelerating the erosion of its legitimacy on the global stage.

Many analysts argue that these contradictions are hastening the decline of Western influence. In recent years, independent regional powers—including Iran, Turkey, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states—have begun to reassess their relations with Washington. Even Saudi Arabia, once deeply reliant on the U.S., is now expanding its ties with China and Russia. This shift indicates that even America’s traditional allies are losing faith in its contradictory policies.

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Human Rights—or a Tool for Political Pressure?

Ultimately, the central question remains:
Shouldn’t human rights standards be defined based on justice and universal principles, rather than the political interests of powerful nations?

How can a global system claim to uphold order and justice, while ignoring some crimes and imposing the harshest sanctions for others?

If the West is truly committed to democracy and human rights, it must apply these principles consistently and universally, not use them as geopolitical instruments. As long as these contradictions persist, global peace and security will remain under threat, and the West’s legitimacy in defending human rights will always be called into question.

Author:Peiman Salehi Iranian writer and political researcher

🔗 Original article in Arabic on Rai al-Youm