Charlotte Dennett, an investigative journalist whose dad was a spy in the Middle East, details the real story behind the Israel-Gaza war. It is not what most believe. Charlotte is the author of “Follow the Pipelines: Uncovering the Mystery of a Lost Spy and the Deadly Politics of the Great Game for Oil.”
The real Israel, Gaza, & Lebanon story.
Podcasts (Video — Audio)
Summary
Charlotte Dennett argues that the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Israel, and Lebanon is deeply tied to control over vast oil and gas reserves in the region. She links historical geopolitical strategies, such as the Balfour Declaration and the construction of pipelines, to present-day energy politics, showing how Israel serves as a U.S. proxy to secure Western dominance in the Middle East under the guise of defense and security narratives.
- Resource Wealth: The Gaza Marine and Leviathan oil and gas fields are critical assets worth billions of dollars.
- Historical Roots: Since colonial powers secured pipelines in the early 20th century, energy control has driven regional policies.
- Geopolitical Strategy: Israel enforces U.S. energy interests in the Middle East, leveraging its position as a military and economic hub.
- Propaganda and Narratives: Media and political rhetoric obscure the resource-driven motivations behind military actions.
- Energy and Power: Control over energy resources remains central to global dominance, with devastating consequences for marginalized communities.
The video exposes the harsh reality that the violence in Gaza is not simply about religion or security but is fueled by a relentless capitalist drive to dominate energy resources. The exploitation of Palestinian lands and lives for oil and gas profits is yet another example of how imperial powers prioritize profit over humanity, and progressives must continue to expose and challenge these systems of oppression.
Charlotte Dennett’s deep dive into the intertwined history of the Middle East, energy politics, and the complex relationship between Israel, Palestine, and the global powers provides a compelling perspective that challenges mainstream narratives. Her analysis suggests that beneath the headlines of religion, nationalism, and security lies a consistent driving factor: the quest to control oil and gas resources. This exploration reframes the conflicts in Gaza, Israel, and Lebanon not merely as territorial disputes but as strategic maneuvers in a broader game of energy dominance.
The Historical Context of Energy in the Middle East
Dennett highlights how oil has been the lifeblood of military and economic power since the early 20th century. She traces this narrative back to pivotal moments like the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which she argues was as much about securing a strategic foothold in Palestine for British access to Iraqi oil as it was about supporting a Jewish homeland. This context repositions Israel not as a purely ideological creation but as a geopolitical asset.
The pipelines Dennett references—originating in Iraq and terminating in areas controlled by colonial powers—underscore how Western powers shaped the region’s borders and conflicts to secure energy resources. This infrastructure, which predates Israel’s founding, demonstrates the long-standing Western interest in ensuring access to Middle Eastern oil.
Oil and Gas: The Unspoken Element in Modern Conflicts
Dennett’s assertion that recent wars in Gaza and Israel are linked to untapped energy reserves off the Mediterranean coast reframes the conflict. The Gaza Marine and Leviathan gas fields, valued at hundreds of billions of dollars, represent significant wealth and strategic importance. However, this wealth is locked behind territorial and political disputes.
She points to two previous Israeli invasions of Gaza in 2009 and 2014 as efforts to ensure Palestinian access to these resources remained restricted. This interpretation casts these military actions as part of a broader strategy to control energy, with Israel acting both in its interest and as a proxy for larger Western powers.
The proposed Middle East-India Corridor (IMEC) aligns with this analysis, as it envisions energy routes that bypass traditional chokepoints like the Suez Canal. For such corridors to succeed, stability—or suppressing opposition groups—becomes essential. Netanyahu’s aggressive tactics against Gaza and Lebanon can thus be seen as part of a long-term plan to secure Israel’s position as an energy hub, ensuring its integration into global trade networks while sidelining Palestinian claims.
Israel as a U.S. Proxy in the Middle East
Dennett challenges a common progressive framing of the U.S.-Israel relationship, which often depicts the U.S. as being influenced or controlled by Israeli interests. Instead, she presents Israel as an agent of U.S. foreign policy, with its actions serving broader American strategic goals. This reframing exposes how religious or cultural solidarity narratives often mask the economic and geopolitical realities driving policy.
The U.S.’s unwavering military and financial support for Israel becomes more understandable in this context. It is not merely about ideological alignment or lobbying power but about ensuring that a reliable ally remains dominant in a region critical to global energy flows. This dynamic explains why American presidents, regardless of party affiliation, have maintained close ties with Israel and supported its military campaigns.
Propaganda and the Erosion of Truth
Dennett’s critique extends to the role of media and propaganda in shaping public perception. By framing Israeli actions as defensive and Palestinian resistance as terrorism, Western narratives obscure the economic motivations behind the conflict. This deliberate obfuscation ensures that discussions of energy politics remain sidelined, allowing the status quo of exploitation and occupation to persist.
This propaganda machine operates not only in the U.S. and Israel but globally, perpetuating myths about energy scarcity and security. As Dennett notes, there is no genuine shortage of oil, only a manipulation of markets to maintain high prices and corporate profits. These tactics, she argues, mirror the broader misdirection employed in justifying wars and occupations.
The Role of Progressives and Activists
Dennett’s insights challenge progressive movements, particularly those focused on climate change and social justice. She urges activists to recognize the energy politics underpinning conflicts like those in Gaza and Israel. This understanding is crucial for addressing immediate humanitarian crises and dismantling the systems of exploitation that drive these conflicts.
The climate movement, in particular, must grapple with how energy transitions are being weaponized. Instead of simply advocating for renewable energy, progressives must confront how fossil fuel interests shape geopolitics and perpetuate inequality.
Conclusion: A Call for a New Narrative
Charlotte Dennett’s work underscores the need for a paradigm shift in how conflicts in the Middle East are understood. Moving beyond surface-level narratives of religion and security, her analysis reveals the economic and geopolitical forces that have shaped the region for over a century. Recognizing these dynamics is essential for any meaningful effort toward peace and justice.
Progressives’ task is clear: expose and challenge the systems of power that prioritize profit over people, advocate for genuine energy justice, and support policies that center the rights and sovereignty of all peoples in the region. Only by confronting the real story—one of exploitation and resistance—can we hope to build a future rooted in equity and sustainability.
Viewers are encouraged to subscribe and join the conversation for more insightful commentary and to support progressive messages. Together, we can populate the internet with progressive messages that represent the true aspirations of most Americans.
Most Independent Progressive outlets struggle to raise the funds they need to operate, much like the smaller outlets like Politics Done Right.
Independent Media needs you
If you like what we do, please do the following!
- Become Patreon here.
- SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel here.
- SUBSCRIBE to our Facebook Page here.
- SUBSCRIBE to our Podcast here.
- Support our GoFundMe equipment fund here.
- Share our blogs, podcasts, and videos.
- Consider contributing here.
Support Our Politics Done Right Store
