Dr. Hugh Gusterson’s latest guest editorial in February’s Anthropology Today examines how diasporic communities influence modern wars amidst globalization and rising ethnonationalism. It discusses historical tensions between states and diasporas during conflicts, referencing world wars and recent issues involving Chinese Americans in the US.
The editorial highlights the roles played by diasporas in various conflicts, including the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II, scrutiny of Chinese Americans during Trump’s presidency, and Irish expatriates’ involvement with the IRA. It focuses particularly on the Israel-Gaza conflict, noting the active participation of Israeli and Palestinian diasporas in North America, often marked by internal disagreements.
The piece argues that these diasporas, though physically distant from the conflicts, significantly influence global perspectives and the nature of warfare through public opinion and social media, thereby reshaping the contemporary understanding of war.
