”Can there be peace in a world of sudden terror?
The meaning of this topic really confuses me.
What do they mean by “a world of sudden terror”?
In all probability they mean, the world as it is after 9/11.
Because this is when terrorism got a definition and became a topic for elite world level discussions. Pre 9/11 it was for some countries to suffer and complain at world meetings but no one to hear or help.
So now, if this is the meaning of this topic then, does it mean there was eternal peace prior to 9/11? No.
And if I say yes! There can be peace in this sudden world of terror, I would be again referring to the state of affairs as it were pre 9/11. Now can we call that peace? No.
What is peace
The Oxford dictionary defines peace thus:
Peace
noun 1 quiet, calm. 2 freedom from or cessation of war. 3 treaty ending war. 4 civil order. 5 state of harmony. peacemaker person who brings about peace. peacetime time when country is not at war
It is very sad that none of the meaning given hold much relevance in todays scenario.
War and Peace
Does it mean we are at peace if we are not at war?
Take the current scenario; India and Pakistan are not at an “officially” declared war!
North and South Korea are not at war!
Uncle Sam is never at war with anyone they always take preventive measures. They had large-scale plans, defense mechanisms and deterrents in place to have peace. But we all know how much at peace they are!
So it has become very clear that the conventional meaning of peace does not hold any relevance in “This world of sudden terror!”
The best and most common excuse or reason given by any world leader or War General for war is “Peace”.
In the name of peace
They wage the wars
So where do we go?
These three lines are in fact more than enough to sum up the essence of this topic.
We have had two world wars and many wars between countries only in this century. Every time the dream that there will be peace after the war has been shattered!
The world of sudden terror
Now, with the world full of Nuclear weapons and bombs that can make a 100 thousand people extinct in seconds. And the balance of power not really in favor of anyone, It would take much courage and foolishness for any country to wage a full-scale war on any country. Except America of course, they are brave enough to bomb the starving people of Afghanistan and Iraq.
This is the age of the hidden enemy, The hidden Face of terror, which shows up time and again and never ceases to surprise. But it takes a heavy toll of life and property. He is the enemy we can’t see, we don’t know who he is, where he is.
Unlike conventional warfare, where we know the face of the enemy, we know whom to attack, whom to put up our defense against.Here we are sitting ducks just waiting to be attacked, we can only take precautionary measures but we are helpless against them.
Why are things the way they are
In a war or in any conflict, there are two sides. The good and the Bad.
Now who decides who the good is and who the bad is?
It’s all a question of point of view.
We call Bhagat singh a freedom fighter, a revolutionary! The Brits called him a Terrorist!
We call the fighting Kashmiri a terrorist; they call them selves’ freedom fighters!
A Pakistani guy will be as proud of Pakistan, as I am of India, even with all our faults.
And it is perfectly normal of humans to have this conflict of interests.
If you have it, I want it. In Fact I want it better and bigger.
It is just they way, me and my brother fought for the window seat when we traveled by train or bus. We get only one window seat, we dash for it, we hustle, push, kick and fight. The end result is the mightier one wins or till MOM Intervenes and decides who gets the window seat.
World affairs are pretty much the same way.
U have oil? I want control, I will invade, I succeed, some other powerful country intervenes! conflict! WAR! the same thing again.
One party will feel they have been wronged, And will start covert ways of avenging their defeat, This is the face of terror! Suicide bombers, Fidayeen squads etc.
There are three truths: my truth, your truth and the truth.
I will always maintain that no matter what, my truth is the ultimate truth.
You will always maintain your truth is the ultimate truth.
Both will keep fighting over whose is the actual truth.
If only we give a chance to the actual truth to come out in the open ….!
Can there be peace
NO. Sorry for being so blunt!
Gandhi, the worlds greatest apostle of peace could not have a peaceful death!
Since time memorial, there has never been peace. And there won’t be till mankind exists. We will always be at war, we will always kill, we will always hurt, always snatch, always rob.
Take any history text book. It will have a galore of heroic war tales and how brave people captured distant lands and kingdoms.
All this dint happen peacefully. It was full of gory killings and bloodsheds.
Alexander dint reach India with peaceful diplomacy and smooth talking.
He and his army have murdered people all the way in their quest for widening their empire. But Alexander is A Hero! Why?
All our mythologies are glaring example of wars, cheating and deception after all these are actual and real human qualities!.
If gods themselves had to resort to violence to bring peace. We are mere mortals.
But there will be people who preach and practice peace.
so the balance is maintained.
Humans have always been like this, nothing has changed, nothing will.
Anyone who thinks otherwise is just fantasizing, just making himself self-happy by thinking otherwise.
Even I do that.
Even I wish, this world were a better place to live. No one to harm anyone, No one killing anyone, no wars, No bombs going off, no mine fields, no robberies. But these are all wishes, dreams that will never come true.
At least you and I will not be alive to see this Fantasy world.
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones: Albert Einstein
Looking back, may I be filled with gratitude;
Looking forward, may I be filled with hope;
Looking upward, may I be aware of strength;
Looking inward, may I find peace.
If all of us atleast find peace within ourselves: Maybe, Just Maybe there will be world peace!
- I think what I have written is the Ultimate truth.If you think otherwise, Let me know with your comments