Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
26 October 2023 | 12:11 CAT
1-min read

Photo: University of Newcastle

Sanusha Naidu, in the Asia-Pacific report this morning, discussed the growing concerns in Southeast Asia regarding the impact of Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza on the region’s neglected Muslim population. According to Naidu, analysts fear that the escalation of the conflict in Gaza will extend beyond the borders of Gaza.

The interview outlined the broader geopolitical consequences of the conflict, emphasising the fragmentation of social cohesion in the region. Naidu pointed out the potential exploitation of the situation by countries like China and Russia, who may seek to leverage Washington’s focus on the Middle East to further their own agendas. The intensification of propaganda, coupled with the upcoming elections in several Southeast Asian countries, adds a layer of complexity to the regional dynamics.

Furthermore, Naidu highlighted the plight of Southeast Asian migrants trapped in the conflict zone. Many of these individuals, predominantly working as seasonal laborers in the agricultural sector in Israel and Gaza, find themselves struggling to secure safe passage out of the region. Reports of Israeli contractors attempting to incentivise migrant workers to remain in the conflict zone for financial gain have drawn sharp criticism from experts, who emphasise the risks posed to the lives of these individuals and their families back in Southeast Asia.

In a separate development, Naidu discussed the recent replacement of China’s defence minister, following a prolonged absence from the public eye. Speculation and conspiracy theories abound regarding the changes within the upper echelons of the Chinese Communist Party, prompting discussions about potential power consolidation by President Xi Jinping. The implications of these developments on China’s foreign policy direction, particularly in relation to its engagement with the United States, have become a subject of intense scrutiny.

Listen to the Asia-Pacific Report with Sanusha Naidu on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.