Happy are we now?

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It was one fine morning in 2003 when, after months of writing columns opposing the Bush administration's imminent invasion of Iraq, I was watching an international news channel in the presence of a loved one. The US had issued a deadline for Saddam and his sons to leave the country to avoid an attack. Watching this story, I remarked that if I were in Saddam's place, I would have left the country I loved to save it from destruction. This loved one, a close blood relation no less, turned to me, looked me in the eye, and said that I was a traitor to my kind and should be excommunicated.

Time passed. Saddam did not leave. The invasion not only destroyed Iraq, killed Saddam and his sons, and unhinged the entire region but also shattered the average American's faith in their government. We met again, and before I could say something like "Told you so" or "Happy are we now?" they took the matter out of my hands, admitted they were wrong, and offered a heartfelt apology. I am not letting you have that satisfaction this time.

For a decade, if not more, I have pointed out to you that whatever Hamas does ends up helping Netanyahu. Caught in an electoral vicious cycle and legal battles, Bibi Netanyahu could neither extricate himself from the crisis nor be pushed out of politics. So, on the eve of every election, when Bibi needed to flaunt his hardline security credentials, Hamas would launch an ineffectual attack, which would be defeated in record time. Then, he would launch aerial bombings in Gaza. The election would be held against the backdrop of this episode, with paranoia, a siege mentality and bloodlust at an all-time high. All of this kept the embattled premier relevant to the electorate and further radicalised the youth. Yet, despite all this, he never won a decisive victory.

There was ample evidence to support my thesis. In 2005, when Prime Minister Ariel Sharon decided to unilaterally disengage from Gaza, Netanyahu, the finance minister at the time, resigned in protest. When he returned to power as prime minister in 2009, after serving as leader of the opposition in the intervening period, Hamas had already gained an advantageous position in Gaza under the watchful gaze of the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) and a fresh Palestinian election was due. But he ensured that no fresh election took place and that Hamas retained the upper hand in the Strip. And surprise, surprise, Netanyahu also stayed in power. So, as I pointed out, a backhanded quid pro quo and this symbiosis were not out of the question. I kept flagging it in this space and elsewhere, but you did not listen.

When the 7 October attack took place, I refused to condone it and unequivocally condemned it despite immense peer pressure. I said on record that it was wrong to attack unarmed civilians and that anyone who condones it invariably ends up rationalising non-state actor attacks on us. Beyond the moral stance, I could not see, given the asymmetric power equation, how poking the bear was a good idea. Instead of paying heed, some of my disgruntled readers and followers tried to dox me on social media in the vain hope of imperilling my safety, as if I were not already shouting from the rooftops. I did not stop. I redoubled my efforts to air my views loudly and clearly. You did not listen.

When the IDF bloodbath in Gaza became self-evident, campus protests broke out, and there was a crackdown, many of you blamed the Biden administration and claimed Trump would fix it. I pointed out that, given the powers of campus security and local police, the federal government had little to do with it and that Republicans, including Trump, were historically more pro-Israel. You did not listen.

Then, in the wake of the US elections, our emotionally illiterate friends vilified the Biden administration, blaming it for everything Israel was doing as if Israel were not a sovereign country or did not have a very powerful lobby in America. Lost was the fact that the Biden administration blocked some arms shipments to Israel despite immense political and lobbying pressure. You insisted that Trump would end the war and restore sovereignty to Gaza. I pointed to Jared Kushner's statement on Gaza's value as a waterfront property. The video is still online; you can still watch it. I also reminded you of Trump's past and present opinions, as well as his record of siding with Netanyahu, not just Israel. You did not listen.

I kept telling my Democrat friends not to replace Biden as a candidate because, despite his many human failings, an overwhelming majority of registered Democrats had voted for him to head the ticket. This showed that the Biden coalition was holding. How could it not? As a straight white man with a long history of supporting civil and labour rights, who had stood loyally behind the first black president, he was their best hope. However, Pelosi, Obama and other Democratic elites had different priorities. They tampered with the winning formula, ostensibly to placate a foreign leader who had left no opportunity to undermine them. The American media, led by CNN, played its dirty part in dragging down the embattled president. They got what they deserved because they did not listen.

I do not appreciate the active efforts to stifle my voice whenever a critical juncture arrives. How my access to social media was often blocked during the US election was hilarious. This happened despite my public statement that I had nothing against Trump or his running mate and admired them personally. I reminded you, again on record, that I was merely explaining the consequences of your choices in your interest. Otherwise, nothing suited me better than the Trump world. Every time I successfully put out two tweets in a row and was in the middle of typing the third, I would lose access to social media despite using a registered VPN.

You did not listen to me when I objected to the Taliban's takeover of Kabul. You did not listen to my views during the Indian elections. And now this.

Today, Donald Trump has returned to power with a conclusive victory in the popular vote, the Electoral College and congressional elections. The US Supreme Court has also granted him unprecedented power. Now, when he announces that he is going to deport international students who protest on campus against Israel, or when, flanked by Netanyahu, he says America will take over Gaza and permanently resettle Gazans elsewhere, you act all incredulous.

You made your bed. Now, sleep in it.

I want to say two things. Happy are we now? And I have nothing more to say to you because you never listen.

The American people have made their choice in government, and I respect their choice. The rest is your lookout.