TEHRAN(Bazaar) – Robert Smith, a professor at the University of San Francisco, believes that the war between Hamas and Gaza is the most important event of 2023 at the international level, and its dimensions are expanding.
Following is the full text of the Bazaar interview with Professor Smith:
Q: The year 2023 is coming to an end and the world has witnessed various developments in this year. In your opinion, what has been the most important development this year?
A: In my opinion, the war between Hamas and Gaza is the most important event of 2023 at the international level and its dimensions are expanding.
Q: In the field related to the economy, what development can be mentioned as a turning point this year?
A: In 2023, the economies of most countries recovered slightly - those that had suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic. In recent months, we have witnessed the improvement of relations between China and the United States. There is hope that cooperation between them will increase and tensions will decrease in the new year .
Q: The war in Ukraine is still going on and there are whispers from the western countries to lead Ukraine to talk with Moscow. According to some reports, the West has come to believe that this war cannot lead to a victory for Ukraine. What is your assessment and will we see peace talks in 2024?
A: The West does not want to pay more in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Therefore, the West is trying to hold peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. The West knows that the result of war in today's world is not victory, but destruction and waste of money.
Q: Despite serious tensions, America and China are trying to manage these tensions. The meeting of the officials of the two countries in this field has also focused on the same goal. Will this trend continue, or may an issue cause tensions to get out of control, like Taiwan?
A: As I said in the answer to the second question, we are now witnessing the improvement of the relations between China and the United States, and I hope that the cooperation between them will be strengthened in the New Year. Officials of both countries have understood that they can cooperate on some issues and it is unlikely that the Taiwan issue will change the course of cooperation between them.
Q: One of the important topics in 2023 was the Gaza war. How long do you think this war will last?
A: The most important issue of 2023 is the Gaza war and this war will continue until Hamas surrenders or Israel can destroy this group. Israel is now continuing the war with strength, and its leaders have repeatedly emphasized that they will continue the war until the complete destruction of Hamas. Of course, Israel should not ignore the anger of the regional countries from its actions and the killing and displacement of the Palestinian people.
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