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'Bennett Dialogues' launched with a talk on the war in West Asia

Times School of Media at Bennett University hosted the inaugural 'Bennett Dialogues' session, featuring West Asia expert Waiel Awwad in conversation with senior journalist Zakka Jacob. They discussed the Israel-Iran-USA conflict's global implications, including its roots in broader U.S.-China-Russia geopolitics, Israel's territorial ambitions per its scriptures, Gaza's humanitarian crisis affecting 2.6 million, and uneven global responses to events like October 7.Awwad critiqued U.S. "weapons of mass deception" over 253 years (e.g., Vietnam, Iraq, Iran), highlighted media bias with "no free media," and linked wars to economic greed over oil and chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. He shared experiences from conflict zones, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and noted India's proactive stance amid potential economic risks like inflation.The event, attended by students and faculty, ended with Deputy Dean Prof. Dhiraj Singh's vote of thanks, promoting critical thinking on international issues.

Published:April 28, 2026 at 12:20 AM3 min read
'Bennett Dialogues' launched with a talk on the war in West Asia
Correspondent: Rajesh Pathivada

Times School of Media, Bennett University under the guidance of Deputy Dean Prof. Dhiraj Singh, hosted the inaugural session of 'Bennett Dialogues.' The session featured West Asia expert Dr Waiel Awwad in conversation with senior journalist Zakka Jacob, where they discussed the ongoing Israel-Iran-USA war and its global implications. Conducted at the Learning Resource Centre of the University Campus, the event was attended by students and faculty members of Bennett University. The interactive discussion examined what the conflict represents beyond regional tensions, as to why it persists, who the key global players are, and how it impacts India.

Dr Awwad argued that the conflict is not just a regional war but part of a broader geopolitical struggle involving the United States,
China and Russia, with West Asia acting as a critical theatre. During the discussion, Dr Awwad presented strong views on multiple aspects of the conflict. He claimed that Israel’s actions are driven by territorial ambitions, stating, "Israel is expanding its territories according to it’s holy books and scriptures”. On Palestine, he highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, noting that nearly 2.6 million people are living in distress. Referring to the October 7 attacks, he questioned global responses, contrasting the condemnation of Hamas with what he described as insufficient attention to Palestinian casualties. Addressing India’s role, he described the country as “proactive” and aligned with a global perspective, while warning that prolonged conflict could economically impact India through inflation and instability.


When asked about Tallstanders America, sir expressed his disbelief at how America has carried out the demonisation of countries over a period of 253 years, may it be Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, or the present situation of Iran, citing that they have been the actual
“Weapons of Mass Deception”.

At the media front, Dr Awwad argued that narratives are often shaped by geopolitical interests, asserting that “there is no free media” and stressing the need for accountability and transparency in journalism. He further stated that “all wars are driven by economics”, branding them as greedy wars influenced by control over resources such as oil and strategic chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. Drawing from personal experience, he also recounted reporting from conflict zones, including the well-known 2008 Mumbai attacks, emphasising the risks journalists face in Rough and tough war environments.

The session concluded with an acknowledgement from the Deputy Dean of Times School of Media, as he presented the vote of thanks to the 2 distinguished gentlemen for enlightening the students. By facilitating such dialogues, the university aims to expose students to diverse geopolitical perspectives, encouraging critical thinking and a deeper understanding of complex international issues beyond textbook narratives.

(Rajesh is an aspiring media professional, pursuing his BAMC degree. He combines his skills in research and creative writing to bring a fresh perspective to every story he covers)
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#bennett dialogues#zakka jacob#waiel awwad#dhiraj singh#bennett university#west asia

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