ON 7 OCTOBER 2023, HAMAS LAUNCHED a surprise attack on Israel that claimed many lives and has led to a devastating, retaliatory war in Gaza. Even as the death toll mounts every day, the world remains divided in its support of Israel or Palestine.

With the US proposing 'a new Middle East', an idea that found significant international support, the war has cast a shadow of doubt over the future of the region. The Abraham Accords of 2020 saw four Arab countries normalize their ties with Israel, laying the foundation of the new regional realignment. But these shifts ignore West Asia's 'original sin'-the unresolved question of Palestine.

Based on his multiple reporting visits to the region and dozens of interviews, Stanly Johny traces the roots of the conflict and unpacks the complex geopolitical systems that are involved. He also examines India's evolving policies on Israel-Palestine, its diplomatic history in the region and its current interests. Original Sin is a new, definitive study of West Asia that is essential for anyone who wants to understand and engage with the current war.