In an interview published Oct. 29. with Preußische Allgemeine Zeitung former Gen. Harald Kujat reiterates his proposal that negotiations on Ukraine should begin, since Ukraine is not able to win against Russia nor regain its lost territory, nor is Russia interested in a long war with more losses that the daily claims is also unpopular among its citizens. Kujat also gives an assessment on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict:
“The crucial point is whether this conflict can be contained—or whether it will expand into a regional or even global conflict. On the regional level, it is extremely positive that Egypt and also Jordan are staying out of it. Obviously, there will be no situation like in 1967 or 1973, when all neighboring Arab states took up arms against Israel in the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War.
“The great risk lies in a possible intervention by Hezbollah, which is based in Lebanon. Hezbollah is a tightly organized militia, excellently equipped by Iran and closely allied with Tehran. A military conflict with Hezbollah—whatever the cause-would not only mean a two-front war for Israel, but also a danger of escalation with regard to Iran and possibly even Türkiye, which sees itself in a position of regional supremacy.
“If Israel were to launch a ground offensive against Gaza, there could indeed be a chain reaction. Since I feel very close to Israel due to many encounters and personal friendships, I would advise the Israelis not to launch a ground offensive, but to try to solve the problem in other ways. A continuous bombardment of houses, which would inevitably always kill innocent civilians, would turn world opinion against Israel.
“What I do not see is a world conflagration arising out of the conflict in the Middle East. Both the Russians and the Americans have no interest in a new theater of war that would tie up more resources. Not only has Biden tried to moderate, but Putin has spoken to all political leaders in the region and offered his mediation.
“But as always, such developments are in flux. A dramatic event can intervene at any time, such as the bombing of a hospital a few days ago, which exacerbates the situation and forces the parties involved—not least because of public pressure—to take actions they actually want to avoid.”
