Diplomacy 101: Undiplomatically Speaking
Where Beliefs Clash and Stories Flash
Recognition and Retaliation
Chile and Belgium became the latest countries to recognize the State of Palestine, joining a small but growing list of Western democracies diverging from U.S. and Israeli policy. The moves prompted immediate diplomatic downgrades by Israel, which described the recognitions as “rewarding terrorism.”
Meanwhile, in Gaza, humanitarian conditions worsened as Rafah became the epicenter of renewed Israeli military operations. Egypt closed the Rafah crossing citing security concerns, while the WHO warned that medical infrastructure in the strip has “collapsed in function if not in form.”
Iran hosted a summit with Syria, Hezbollah, and senior Iraqi militia leaders in Tehran, reportedly to coordinate a “unified axis response” should Israel expand operations in southern Lebanon. The U.S. has placed its CENTCOM forces on alert, but avoided signaling broader involvement—so far.