The era of grand opulence, commonly referred to as the Modern Belle Epoque, is drawing to a close.
In recent times, the ongoing conflict in Gaza has emerged as a significant catalyst, challenging Western cultural and moral values that have been in place since the end of World War II.
Geopolitically, the conflict has brought about a destabilizing effect on the Middle East region. Israel's military operations have weakened Hezbollah's power in Lebanon and contributed to the fall of Syrian President Assad, thereby disrupting Iranian influence in the region. However, the prolonged war risks Israeli overreach, which could undermine military gains and exacerbate regional instability (Council on Foreign Relations, 2025-08-06). The war is also straining US-Israel relations, as US administrations under Biden and Trump have sought ceasefires while Israel pursues outright military victory, reflecting differing strategic priorities.
Morally, the conflict has generated widespread condemnation of the humanitarian conditions in Gaza, including instances of starvation and blockade-induced suffering. Western countries, particularly in Europe and the UK, have threatened economic and security measures against Israel in response to the humanitarian crisis. The US faces accusations of complicity due to its political and military support for Israel, damaging American credibility on human rights and humanitarian issues (CSIS, 2025-07-28). This situation tests the West's commitment to post-WWII values such as the protection of civilians, adherence to international law, and the promotion of human rights.
Culturally and politically, public opinion in Western democracies, especially the United States, has shifted significantly. Support for Israel’s military actions has declined sharply among Democrats and younger Americans, highlighting a generational and partisan divide that challenges traditional Western alignment with Israel (Brookings Institution, 2025-08-06). This erosion of consensus reflects deeper moral questioning about the justification of military tactics and the impact on Palestinian civilians, challenging the West's professed values of justice and human dignity.
The dissonance between the atrocities in Gaza and the extravagance of millionaire influencers on social media is also affecting the modern psyche. People worldwide are demanding justice, not just wealth, and this sentiment is reflected in the growing influence of the BRICS nations. The question is raised whether a historical cycle is ending, and if a civilizational delusion is collapsing, as the West's postwar "modernity" is being questioned (Arab Center DC, 2025-07-31). If this is the end of an age, it will mark the fall of a story the world has been told for 80 years.
Sources: - Council on Foreign Relations: "Israel Risks Overplaying Its Hand in Gaza and the Middle East," 2025-08-06. - CSIS: "Experts React: Starvation in Gaza," 2025-07-28. - Brookings Institution: "Support for Israel continues to deteriorate," 2025-08-06. - Arab Center DC: "The War on Gaza: Regional Implications and Geopolitics," 2025-07-31. - The West's postwar "modernity" is being questioned, with some viewing it as a polished age of denial. - People worldwide are demanding justice, not just wealth. - BRICS is growing in influence. - The dissonance between atrocities in Gaza and the extravagance of millionaire influencers on social media is affecting the modern psyche. - If this is the end of an age, it will mark the fall of a story the world has been told for 80 years.
- The ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has severely strained US-Israel relations and sparked a generational and partisan divide in Western democracies, is also raising questions about the West's postwar "modernity."
- The dissonance between the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the extravagance displayed by millionaire influencers on social media is affecting the modern psyche, with people worldwide demanding justice, not just wealth.
- The geopolitical effects of the conflict in Gaza have extended beyond the Middle East, challenging Western cultural and moral values and prompting a re-evaluation of the West's postwar "modernity."
- The growing influence of the BRICS nations, coupled with the dissonance between atrocities in Gaza and the extravagance of social media influencers, suggests that a historical cycle may be ending and a new era could be dawning, marking the fall of a story the world has been told for 80 years.
