From Gaza to Trump, the age of ‘Big Security’ is here

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's rejection of Donald Trump's proposed Gaza peace plan reflects a broader shift in global political dynamics toward what some analysts describe as the "age of Big Security." This trend, marked by an increasing reliance on military force, surveillance, and control mechanisms to manage perceived threats, appears to be shaping policies not only in Israel but across multiple regions of the world. Netanyahu's decision aligns with the prevailing sentiment among Israeli voters, who largely view any compromise with Palestinian groups as a potential weakness. His government has emphasized the need to dismantle Hamas entirely, a stance that resonates strongly with the electorate ahead of upcoming elections. However, this approach does not represent a unique position within Israeli politics. Even potential successors, such as Gadi Eisenkot, a former army chief of staff and founder of the Yashar Party, have shown little inclination to deviate significantly from the existing security-focused strategy. Eisenkot's involvement in Netanyahu's war cabinet during the initial phase of the Gaza conflict suggests continuity in policy direction, despite the high civilian toll of that period. The rise of what anthropologist Ruben Andersson terms "Big Security" is evident in various forms worldwide. In Israel, this is exemplified by the construction of a sophisticated "smart fence" along the border with Gaza, costing over a billion dollars. Designed to offer "total security," the system includes advanced surveillance technology and automated weaponry, all monitored from centralized command centers. Despite being inaugurated in late 2021, the fence contributed to a misplaced confidence among Israelis, which proved inadequate when Hamas launched its surprise attack on 7 October 2023. Andersson argues that the phenomenon of Big Security is not confined to Israel. Across the globe, governments are increasingly using security concerns to justify measures that reinforce the status quo, often at the expense of marginalized populations. Migration control is one prominent aspect, but the trend also encompasses greater governmental control and surveillance. Examples range from Central America to Asia, including countries affected by Islamist movements in the Sahel region. These instances illustrate how leaders can exploit fears of external threats to consolidate power and maintain control. In Russia, President Vladimir Putin has strengthened central authority, while in the United Kingdom, successive governments have taken steps to limit public support for Palestinian causes. In the United States, recent revelations indicate that under the Trump administration, the Department of Homeland Security engaged in extensive monitoring of left-wing groups critical of immigration enforcement operations conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This highlights how even democratic institutions can be drawn into the framework of Big Security, prioritizing control over dialogue. The trajectory toward a more secure state is also apparent in the evolution of the Trump administration itself. Initially unprepared for the challenges of governance during their first term, the administration leveraged the difficulties faced by the Biden administration to develop strategies for a potential return to power in 2024. Early indicators included the deployment of National Guard units to restore order in urban areas perceived as unstable, and a strong resistance to addressing climate change as a pressing issue. For Trump supporters, climate change was viewed as a threat to national interests, prompting efforts to minimize federal responses to environmental concerns. This pattern underscores a growing tendency among certain political entities to prioritize immediate security and control over long-term solutions to complex issues. While the implications of this shift remain unclear, the continued emphasis on security as a primary concern suggests that the landscape of international relations is undergoing a profound transformation.