Daily Times

Human history has witnessed not only a wonderful but also the most peaceful era of the last few decades. Although there are stark differences between 1914 and 2019, yet international security situation is rapidly deteriorating, and people increasingly fear to bear the brunt of a global conflict. During the first half of the last century, wars were fought for economic prosperity and political power. Later, major wars became an endangered species. So, how did major powers wage successful wars in the twentieth century? And why has it become difficult for them to win a war in the twentieth century?

In the era of global wars, conflicts and military confrontations were a source of wealth. States tried to annex territories before others. Besides economic prosperity, it was a symbol of one’s superiority over the other. They were, in other words, very much clear about the cost and benefits of war. While if one ponders upon contemporary status of major/global wars, there is no doubt that it has become extinct. In contrast, the definition of victory has changed-winning without fighting is the new norm.

Improving geo-political scenario and avoiding military confrontations are the latest recommendations of the emerging superpower. Without firing a shot, one is threatening the sole superpower of the world with its peaceful ‘rise’. Even the fighting arena of the world-Middle East and Europe-is not offering successful wars anymore. Regional states are just sitting on the fence and letting other do the fighting and suffer. Clearly, one cannot wage a successful war with one’s military power. But limited wars are still an option for myopic humans.

Despite the availably of limited war, economy of success has changed. One cannot acquire knowledge through war. One cannot avert collective suicide with nuclear weapons, once initiated. One cannot guarantee peace through war anymore, as evident from the American invasion of Afghanistan. Arguably, the greatest win in the recent history was realised with going into war-US-former USSR. In other words, war is now only a high-damage business. But alas! Human stupidity has always acquired a pre-dominant position in inter-state relations. For example, India is celebrating the 20-year anniversary of the Kargil conflict. What a shame!

Pakistan also needs to invest in its image building regionally as well as globally to negotiate with India effectively

Since Kargil, limited war tactics has been materialised by India to ‘teach Pakistan a lesson’. Though worst is yet to come, but bigotry, hate, violence, staged massacres, crime networks, subversion in Balochistan, and increased oppression in Kashmir by India are, by no means, taking Pakistan-India relations towards a positive direction. Time and again, Pakistan has offered to cooperate and work with India for a workable solution towards issues. But now it is time for India to reciprocate.

Who celebrates death of their soldiers by jingoism? Verily, a people who cannot appreciate the cost of war in terms of lives lost can never appreciate the benefits of peace. Such celebrations encourage jingoism, and jingoism leads to conflict, not peace or resolution of outstanding matters of concern. India needs to learn from human history. History teaches us that when there is a will to resolve issues, even superpowers can come to consensus and end the Cold War for the betterment of the world. India’s mindset that war is inevitable, further adds to its myopia, which resulted in the shape of the Pulwama incident. It would be naïve to assume that war is impossible, but it is also sheer ignorance when one deploys 70 percent of its army towards Pakistan just to fulfil a self-assumed prophecy.

Now, the question arises: what should be done? Should we continue to invest in war mongering or should we invest in peace? Shouldn’t, after decades of stupidity, peace be given a real chance? Only ‘my nation, my culture and my religion’ is not the way forward. There is a need to come to common terms for humankind. There is a need to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, South Asia’s flash point. Regional as well international major powers, such as the US, Russia, China, should not hesitate to come forward and mediate. In this regard, President Donald Trump’s offer to mediate between Pakistan and India, during the recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Washington, is a welcome step. Both Pakistan and India need to augment their investment for a peace process.

Pakistan, however, also needs to invest in its image building regionally as well as globally to negotiate with India effectively. Last but not the least, un-conditional dialogues and economic connectivity Pakistan and India is the needof the hour. May sanity prevail!

Adeel Mukhtar Mirza works for Islamabad Policy Research Institute/Bisma Baig is a freelance writer with a focus on human security issues