"Are we looking at the third world war?"
I came across this headline while scrounging for news on Google for any newsworthy items. And yes, I found plenty.This week China has again gone ahead with their cartographic skills, which for some strange reason showed parts of North east India in China. ISIS introduces a new caliphate in all it's captured regions in Iran and Syria and Ukraine is still caught in an seemingly unending nightmare of civil war. So yes, everything is normal as usual. But is there a war brewing up, one that could consume an entire generation?
Argue with the barrel - Bismark |
First reason would be the inter dependence of economies, due to globalization. The economy of war is profitable, but complete annihilation of a country is not a great appetizer. Take an example, if China declares war on India, (which should not happen and if happens should not be attributed to this blog) South East Asia might rally with India(eg Japan, Vietnam etc.), due to the multiple conflicts that China has picked up over disputed territories. China would weaken economically by losing business in these countries in industries that it might have set up there.
I am the destroyer - Hiroshima |
One example can be taken from India and Pakistan. During the prime minister Vajpayee's time India and Pakistan conducted many Nuclear tests, each outnumbering the other, winning a Ig Nobel price for the unconventional method of promoting peace, by flexing one's muscles.
Third reason would be that any war will turn into a world war. With vested interests of multiple countries in all parts of the world, even a small island can kick up a big feud. Take for example the Ukrainian conflict. From a resolution to join the EU turned into a reminiscent of the cold war era, with the US and Russia putting their weight behind the two opposing faction. Indians students have been transported back from Ukraine and Europe is voicing a need for the end of this violence. War is a complex phenomenon that involves multiple stakeholders, from the aggressors to even the passive viewers
Today seems a very distant contrast to the linear world run by European monarchs, on the throne fashioned from the backs of the their colonies. So when I see such predictions, I am not afraid, only hopeful that we are afriad to bring war upon ourselves. One knows that peace is only temporary, and it would not be long before we find an imperialist at the head of a government, plotting world domination. But let us enjoy the peace as it lasts. After all now international politics is like a game of ring a ring a rose. In the end, we keep playing till we all fall down.