The twenty-first century has fortunately not seen a brutal bloody and conventional war yet, though in the strictest sense of the term. It has been ruled by reason and a typical sense of fraternity, as reconciliation lies somewhere at the core of mega disputes. Partly, due to the nuclear bombs and the international organizations, the century’s initial periods are not much dismal. But given the flawed nature of man, the possibility of a conventional war always hovers over the international community. Yet, there could be a considerable dissent over the nature of the modern man given the role played by education and institutions in shaping human behavior. However, history is fraught with brutal acts and events of men. Numerous bloody wars have been fought. Generations are eradicated and villages are burnt. Great chunks of the population are vanished at once. Hence, chapters of history, despite all the attempted precautionary measures, still add to the fears of men.
Although the modern democracy has bestowed stability, an environment of peace, and international cooperation to humankind but paradoxically an inept, self-oriented, and dangerous leadership is, as well, placed on the forefront. This makes futile efforts made by international organizations. The contemporary Russian march towards Ukraine is an example. 120,000 troops have been deployed by Russia along its eastern border and the southwestern border of Belarus. The Russian claim to Ukraine is nothing but insanity on the part of Mr. Putin, who is likely to endanger the whole of humankind just for his selfish ambitions. Putin’s claim to Ukraine has been denied by the majority of the population as per a survey but there is still considerable support for Russia.
Both the NATO and the EU are supporting pro-western factions in Ukraine. The situation has deteriorated to an extent that the US has sent its troops to the eastern front of the EU. NATO has put its troops on standby. London also seems tacitly favoring the US without pondering over the destruction that it will ensue. Another Russian adventurism is played in Kazakhstan, where most of the population is out in the streets. The situation at first deteriorated due to the skyrocketing fuel prices. Initially few protests were staged but given the corrupt regime’s unfavorable policies towards the populace enraged the masses. The situation has been tackled by the Russian troops, who were requested, under an agreement, by Kazakhstan President Kassym Jomart Tokayev.
In the middle east, the three players are also calculating their influence over the area. Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the UAE have been competing for dominance over Iran and Iran-supported Houthis in yamen. The case of Israel, against Palestinians, resembles that of the Chinese Xinjiang, where a nationalistic communist regime is on the play of ethnic cleansing. The situation in the far east is also not stable since the Kurds are attacked, and just like the Indian Muslims, they are on the verge of an immense genocide. The Indian government is explicitly carrying its brutal acts against minority Muslims. Moreover, President Genocide Watch Gregory Stanton has clearly warned that a genocide [under BJP] could very well happen in India.
One can also find numerous instances of instabilities in western Africa. A military coup in Burkina Faso is a fresh example apart from other countries. These atrocities and the prosecution of certain ethnicities for long have been a major characteristic of world history. shouldn’t it be changed? Those living in the safest places in the strongest states will nod in affirmative. Daily watching news of destructed shelters and despair faces of humanity makes all of us saddened. But none of us is budged enough to take a stance and roll back on the national, ethnic, and religious differences and to stand for the world’s security and peace.
According to WHO “more than 700,000 people die due to suicide each year.” It is far higher than the number of people who die in wars annually. 77% of these suicides are from low and middle-income countries. The bulk of the population is unemployed and thus potential criminals. We are now collectively facing existential threats. Covid-19 is an example. Climatic change is another menace. Millions of people have died from the pandemic but still, humankind is divided into borders and other like lines.
Because of these imminent dangers and sometimes the inept leadership, the existence of humankind is at stake. The discourses around the world should circulate the common threats like pandemics, climate change, population growth, resources management, unemployment, inequality, corruption, and so on. There should be a genuine and consensual approach to human and world security. And the differences of race, color, religion, and boundaries should be set aside.
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