War and Peace: The Stunning Irony

The hypocrisies of human nature are strange and shocking . Peace and War or War and Peace? Whether mental or physical, becomes a billion dollar question. Centuries ago, George Bernard Shaw professed the message of the, ‘futility of war’ albeit, dealing with the issue with slight comic overtones:

“And how ridiculous! Oh War! War!
The dream of Patriots and Heroes!
A fraud, Bluntschli,
A Hollow sham,like Love.”

‘Soldiering’ according to Shaw is “the coward’s art of attacking mercilessly when you are strong, and keeping out of harm’s way when you are weak.”, and how truly well it is manifested in the ongoing Russian invasion of its much weaker neighbor- the super power Russia bullying Ukraine with all its might and power in a wanton, unprovoked act of aggression.

Ah! the Irony ! The stunning Irony !
You need War to make Peace !!! Because that seems to be the logic with which the aggressor here seems to be operating with. How does this unprovoked, irrational, and irresponsible aggressive stance of Russia lead to more peace? The disastrous effects- from economic drain to bloodshed it inflicts aside, the economic sanctions from the West are enough to crumble its own economy, and the effects are already visible. Isn’t this beyond logic and reason- like shooting yourself in the foot? Or in the end imploding- what if it escalates into a nuclear quid pro quo, annihilation?

Does history teach us nothing? Or does it only teach one thing- that we learn nothing from it! Is the destructive experience of two world wars, and the disastrous consequences -` insufficient to open the Windows of minds of the so called Super powers? The shambles during the war, the plight of the survivors, the dwindling economies of the nations, crushed self respect of damaged nations, the genetic scars in Hiroshima and Nagasaki ,are these not enough to shake and rake our minds?

And what use are the instruments that we created out of these historical experiences? Someone joked on social media that UN is merely an adult MUN- Model United Nations- a platform for rich kids to cosplay war, peace, and diplomacy, originally a derivative of the UN? But it does make you wonder, is it just these super powers- rich kids sitting at the international table- play acting and cosplaying! NATO, UN…are these just sham organizations with no real power and accountability? How do we justify this DISASTER?

And to come back to Mr. Shaw’s chuckling rhyme above. What dream of patriots and heroes? Is the Russian soldier whose last message to his mother before his death- “Mum, I am scared, we are hitting everyone, even civilians” speak of heroism, or an ultimate fall of conscience and self image? And the real heroes- the ones defending their soil, not sure if they ever dreamt of this day. Is it not their worst nightmare- to die a hero. For in reality, once earth is more blood than soil, and the wars are over, no songs and poesies can resurrect the dead. They are only the lament of an uneasy, peace-less, guilt-ridden conscience. Peace out!

-Nishi Singh
(AP) GNIOT