Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831) was a German philosopher best known for his concept of the Hegelian Dialectic—a triadic process consisting of Thesis, Antithesis, and Synthesis.
To understand how it works, imagine a large antivirus company with a hidden agenda. The Thesis is the creation or emergence of a dangerous computer virus. The Antithesis is the media hype and fear surrounding the potential global impact of that virus. The Synthesis is the proposed solution—buying and installing the company’s antivirus software. The underlying motive, of course, is profit.
This same dialectical method has often been used in geopolitics. When the United States invaded Iraq in 2003 under the banner of regime change, the Thesis was that Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator. The Antithesis was the claim that Iraq possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs). The Synthesis became the invasion itself—overthrowing the regime and taking control of Iraqi oil. The deeper strategic objective, many argue, was to serve Israel’s regional ambitions, particularly within the so-called “Greater Israel” project.
Among nations, Israel has arguably mastered the use of the Hegelian Dialectic in its military and political narratives. The Israeli Défense Forces (IDF) often attribute attacks to Palestinian militants, using these incidents to justify large-scale military operations that result in civilian casualties. By controlling the narrative, Israel shifts blame onto Palestinians and distances itself from accusations of war crimes.
In recent years, India—seeking to assert itself as a regional hegemon—appears to have adopted similar tactics. False flag operations such as the Pulwama attack in 2019 and the Pahalgam incident in 2025 have been used to stoke tensions with Pakistan. In both cases, the timing conveniently aligned with national elections, suggesting that the ruling BJP sought to consolidate political support through heightened nationalism.
This week, another alleged false flag attack occurred near the Red Fort metro station in New Delhi. The signs are familiar: swift government control over the media narrative, immediate blame directed toward Pakistan, and growing public consent for aggressive “defensive” action. History shows that such patterns often precede war.
We are told that history is a great teacher, yet we rarely learn from it—perhaps that’s why it keeps repeating itself. South Asia once again stands on the brink of another potential clash between India and Pakistan. Despite previous failures, India seems determined to test the same strategy once more.
Will it achieve a different outcome this time? Only time will tell.
