The beauty of the Holy Book, Al Quran, lies in the clarity of Allah’s Messages. One such message from Allah says that “Allah does not change the condition of a people unless they change what is within themselves.” (Qur’an 13:11)
This message alone speaks volumes about what Allah expected from His most precious creation, humanity. Since Allah had bestowed His Blessings and Given Wisdom to human beings, He expected them to perform and strive for what He created them to do. However, when the Creator saw that humans were too lazy, greedy, and unfair, He categorically charged them, saying that their conditions would not change until they strove for them.
This brief reference from the Holy Book was essentially required to expand my thoughts on the title that is inspired by Quaid’s dictum of peace within and peace without. In my opinion, the problem is not a problem if we are aware of it. However, the situation becomes a problem if we are unaware of its existence.
Perhaps, the world in general and the region in particular are faced with a dilemma that they are not fully aware of: the socio-economic, climate change, food insecurity, pandemic, and migration problems that the people are facing.
Perhaps, the world in general and the region in particular are faced with a dilemma that they are not fully aware of: the socio-economic, climate change, food insecurity, pandemic, and migration problems that the people are facing. Alternatively, the major stakeholders do not consider these problems as their own and have left them to be addressed by the chosen leadership of developing countries.
Unfortunately, the major powers think that wars can resolve the problems. Because they believe that terrorism and extremism are the real problems, and therefore, they do not consider or give weight to climate, migration, and socioeconomic issues, including food and health insurance, as problems. Hence, a significant portion of the expenditure is allocated to wars and conflicts, rather than towards resolving social issues.
The question is, how long will it go on? Africa has started to revolt against its colonial enslavers and join the Chinese camps as a part of the Global South community. The Middle East remains under the war clouds. The enduring rivalry between India and Pakistan is ensuring that South Asian remains the poorest region in the world. Afghanistan is once again heating up. Historically, Afghan heat does not remain confined to its borders and has the potential to expand horizontally for various reasons.
I think that if developing states look inwards, they will find that the problems are more within than without. Developing countries may have achieved independence from their colonial masters, but they remain heavily influenced by them because the Former Masters are not willing to cede their power. They continue to fleece the resources of their subjects through the installed regimes, which are often tyrannical and unjust to their own people. Only a few countries under relatively young military leaders are showing courage and determination to stand against their old masters. Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in 2023 to stand up for their people. Apparently, France is the net loser and rightly so because the people of Francophone Africa suffered the most due to French atrocities and the non-development of its colonies.
Elsewhere, too, most of the problems are identified within the country. For instance, several countries in South Asia, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, experienced a prolonged period of political instability. The people of the respective states ultimately ran out of patience. They rose against the long-term regimes, which were not people-friendly but caused harm to public interests in their pursuit of vested interests by serving the interests of other powerful states.
A careful analysis of these few examples reveals that the problem lies within, rather than without. Developing countries allow extra-regional players to influence them in all domains, including political, economic, socio-cultural, and, most importantly, in the security of their respective states. Suppose the regimes of developing states truly represent their people and strive for self-determination and self-reliance. In that case, there is a high probability that external influence will initially decrease and perhaps diminish in the future. An independent and representative regime, without external support for its longevity, can serve its people with greater vigour. It would be an ideal situation, even if it defies the precepts of realism.
Perhaps it is time for developing states to disengage from their traditional masters, as the international system is undergoing a transformation from unilateralism to multilateralism. The Global South must have its own voice so that the Developed North is not permitted to impose its will on it. However, this will only be possible if the problems within are correctly identified and addressed without any self-interest, but in the public interest only.
The writer of this article has authored four international books: Nuclear Deterrence and Conflict Management Between India and Pakistan, South Asia Needs Hybrid Peace, Understanding Sun Tzu and the Art of Hybrid War, and Diplomacy and Deterrence.”