The previous 3 parts of the article can be accessed here Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. This is the fourth part
Are we moving towards a World War?
“Thanthaanaa! (that’s what my elder granddaughter calls me, remember?),” Sahana came rushing in, looking worried. “One of my friends says a world war is coming. Is that true?”
Before I could answer, Anagha, her younger sister, always curious, who was playing tic-tac-toe with me, looked up. “What’s a world war, Thantheene (her version of my nickname)? Is it a fight between all the people all over the world?”
“Not exactly,” I said, gesturing for them to sit down. “But it’s something we should understand. Let’s talk about this calmly. Sahana, why does your friend think a world war is coming?”
“Because of missile attacks between Israel and Palestine’s associates like Hezbollah and Iran. My friend said it’s turning into a huge war, and lots of countries are getting involved. Then there’s the war already going on between Russia and Ukraine, where many other countries are also involved. Isn’t it scary? Isn’t it heading towards a world war?”
“The way you put it does sound scary, but mini-wars like this don’t usually turn into world war. The world has gone to much worse brinks in the past, without resulting in a world war.
“We should understand why such wars happen,” I said, thinking of a way to simplify it. “The conflict between Israel and its neighbors is a very old one, like a long, scrambled-up thread. None of the people living today were even born when it all began over 100 years ago. It’s become a problem passed down from generation to generation, like carrying on their great-great-grandparents’ disagreements.”
“Why don’t they just talk it out and become friends, since these are old disputes?” Anagha asked, puzzled.
“That’s a great question, Anagha! But it’s not that easy. The fight started over land, religion, and beliefs, all of which are very sensitive topics; people on both sides have been told for generations that the other side is their ‘enemy.’
“Imagine if someone told you to give away your favorite soft toy or leave your home forever. How would you feel? People on both sides feel they’re protecting what’s rightfully theirs. They’re stuck in a cycle of mistrust. But I think a solution can be found one day.”
“Who is right and who is wrong?” Anagha asked innocently.
“We won’t be able to solve the problem if we try to find who is right and who is wrong. We are not judges either.
“Even if a judge gives a judgment as to who is right and who is wrong, the side judged as wrong won’t accept the judgment. We don’t have a person like the School Principal who can make the two sides accept the judgment. So, what is needed is to mediate an amicable solution.”
“Is it really that hard to mediate peace?” Sahana asked. “If we want to stay friends with someone, we just forgive and move on.”
“Exactly!” I said, smiling. “But when people feel like they’ve been wronged for over a century, they find it hard to forgive.
“Remember what I told you about adapting? Charles Darwin, a wise scientist, published his theory that it’s not the strongest who survive, but those who adapt to change. People must learn to adjust and find new ways to get along, instead of holding on to old grudges.”
“But why don’t other countries help them understand that?” Anagha asked.
“Some countries try, but others make it more complicated by strongly taking sides,” I explained. “Countries like the US and some European nations support Israel, while countries like Iran and Pakistan support Palestine. This turns it into a bigger fight, like friends who cheer you on in a quarrel instead of helping you sort it out.”
“But why do these countries take sides?” Sahana asked.
“It’s a mix of reasons: politics, religion, friendship, and more. For example, some countries want to support their allies, while others want to show loyalty to their own people’s beliefs, national, religious, etc. Unfortunately, these reasons often mean that instead of helping resolve the fight, they end up making it more difficult.”
“So, is India doing anything at all?” Sahana asked, sounding curious now.
“India is trying to stay neutral, saying, ‘This is not our fight. We want to be friends with both sides.’ India’s view is that only the people directly involved, Israelis and Palestinians, can find a solution, if and when they want to. India wants to help by encouraging them to talk, not by choosing one side over the other.”
“But why doesn’t everyone do that?” Sahana wondered.
“Because sometimes, countries feel that if they don’t support their friends, they’ll be seen as weak or disloyal. It’s like when a friend says, ‘If you don’t stand up for me, you’re against me.’ But kids make up more easily than adults. With countries, it’s harder to change these old views.”
“India believes that people should co-exist peacefully, like kids who play together, where differences don’t lead to lasting fights. India has always tried to be a Vishwa Mitra, a friend of the world. But we also know that being friends with everyone doesn’t mean you have to take sides. Sometimes, we are misunderstood”
“How did India become friends with so many countries?” Anagha asked thoughtfully.
“Historically, India never tried to conquer others for land or wealth. After independence too, we stayed ‘non-aligned,’ not taking sides in big power struggles. Today, we follow what’s called ‘multi-alignment,’ being friends with everyone, like a kid who wants the whole class to play together.”
“So, does that mean there won’t be a world war?” Sahana asked, a bit more hopeful.
“Yes, very probably not,” I said gently. “Most countries know that a world war would destroy everyone. That’s why, when things get too tense, leaders usually try to calm things down before they get out of control.”
“Then we just have to keep hoping for peace?” Anagha asked, looking up at me with wide eyes.
“Yes,” I said, patting her head. “But hope is not just about wishing. It’s about action too. We need to learn more, understand others better, and teach people that war is never a good solution. The real problems we need to fight against are things like poverty, unemployment, and misunderstandings that keep people apart.”
“Okay, I’ll always think about peace!” Anagha said brightly.
“Me too!” Sahana added, her earlier worry fading away.
“That’s the spirit,” I said, smiling at them both. “Because if more people like you grow up believing in peace and understanding, then maybe, we won’t have to worry about wars anymore.”
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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