By Shofi Ahmed

The nation watched it in shock and awe, Sunak threw his biggest dice, plots back David Cameron, the old flame of Number 10 back into the political nexus. Speculation is on the rise and diverse. Today, we will delve into his Middle East policy. His daunting history of bombing in Libya raises questions: will he continue in the same direction, dropping more bombs into Gaza, or will he work to stop it and heal the wounds of war? Alternatively, will he echo past decisions, directing bombs into already ravaged territories?

Cameron’s return to power presents an opportunity. Will he advocate for peace or resort to military action? Will he extend a humanitarian hand? That’s what remains to be seen.

The political arena crackles with anticipation as David Cameron, the seasoned statesman and former Prime Minister, steps back into the spotlight. His return to government as Foreign Secretary under Rishi Sunak’s administration has ignited a storm of speculation. But let us rewind the clock to a pivotal moment—the Libyan intervention.

In 2011, as Prime Minister, Cameron faced a critical decision: whether to intervene militarily in Libya. The Arab Spring had swept across the region, and Libya was in turmoil. Muammar Gaddafi’s forces were clashing with rebels, and civilians were caught in the crossfire. Cameron, once a reluctant interventionist, now stood at the precipice of war.

His rationale was clear: Gaddafi had to be stopped. The UN-backed resolution authorised a no-fly zone, and Cameron believed that military action was both necessary and legal. But he wasn’t a neocon-style hawk. His attorney general sat alongside him during National Security Council meetings.

Nonetheless critics have reasons to argue that the intervention lacked a coherent strategy, that accurate intelligence was absent, and that it inadvertently paved the way for the rise of the so-called Islamic State in North Africa. Cameron’s legacy bears the weight of those consequences.

And now, Gaza—a land scarred by conflict, its people enduring unimaginable suffering. Cameron’s return to power presents an opportunity. Will he advocate for peace, for humanitarian aid, for healing the wounds of war? Or will he echo past decisions, directing bombs into already ravaged territories?

The world watches, holding its breath. Cameron’s actions will define his legacy anew. Perhaps, just perhaps, he can choose a path that transcends the mistakes of the past—a path that speaks not of destruction, but of compassion and reconciliation. The strange game continues, and the stakes remain high. Let us hope for wisdom, for humanity, and for a better future.