Summary of After Gaza: Muslims in a Post American Order with Wadah Khanfar

The video features a deep geopolitical and historical analysis with Wadah Khanfar, former director general of Al Jazeera and head of the Al-Shark Forum, on the current global and Muslim world order, particularly in the aftermath of the Gaza conflict. Khanfar argues that the world is witnessing a rare and momentous dual collapse: the end of a Western-centric civilizational cycle and the simultaneous demise of the post-1945 international world order led by the United States. This collapse is not caused by figures like Donald Trump but rather manifested through them, reflecting a broader systemic failure marked by weakening values, erosion of international law, and deteriorating political leadership in the West.

Khanfar draws a historical parallel with the prophetic era of Muhammad (peace be upon him), highlighting how the Prophet strategically prepared for a seismic shift in world order during the collapse of the Roman-Persian bipolar system by establishing a new power base in Medina and creating the concept of the “ummah” as a geopolitical and political entity, not merely a spiritual community. He explains that the original ummah was a meta-political structure that transcended tribal and territorial divisions, uniting Muslims and non-Muslims under a collective political and social framework, which later evolved into the caliphate system. This contrasts sharply with the current fragmented nation-state system imposed post-World War I, which has failed to provide unity, strength, or security to the Muslim world, instead fostering division, civil wars, sectarianism, and poverty.

Khanfar critiques the current Muslim political elites for prioritizing narrow national interests over collective security and unity, leading to ineffective regional organizations like the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. He stresses that this fragmentation benefits external powers, including Israel, which he describes as a regional hegemon using aggressive and destabilizing tactics to maintain dominance and prevent the rise of a unified Muslim power. Netanyahu’s policies, including wars and nuclear monopoly, deepen regional divisions and insecurity, setting the stage for future conflict and resistance.

On the global stage, Khanfar discusses the shifting power dynamics between the declining U.S.-led Western order and the rising influence of China, which is reclaiming its historical position as a major global power. He warns of the dangers of escalating tensions, particularly over Taiwan, and the risk of war driven by miscalculation or strategic desperation from the U.S. side. The U.S.’s internal political instability, exemplified by Trump’s presidency, reflects the broader civilizational decline and loss of coherent grand strategy in the West.

Khanfar advocates for a new approach to Muslim unity and power aggregation—not necessarily full political unity but greater cooperation akin to the European Union or ASEAN models. He emphasizes the need to move beyond the nation-state paradigm, which is alien to Islamic political tradition, and to foster integration in economic, social, educational, and infrastructural domains. He proposes the concept of a “virtual ummah,” where substate actors such as intellectuals, professionals, students, and civil society across borders collaborate to build networks that transcend national divisions and prepare for future political shifts.

The Gaza conflict, Khanfar suggests, could be a catalyst for this transformation by awakening a collective consciousness and highlighting the failure of current political elites. He underscores three key elements that Western powers fail to understand about the Muslim world: the strength of collective identity, the deep historical memory of occupation and resistance, and the spiritual dimension that motivates sacrifice beyond material interests.

Finally, Khanfar calls on Western Muslims to engage in broad alliances based on shared values like justice, equality, and environmental concerns, participating in global debates beyond narrow religious or identity politics. He reminds viewers that Islam historically contributed to early globalization based on values and exchange, contrasting with Western colonialist globalization, and urges a revival of this inclusive, value-based global engagement.

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