Editor,
In our World, there are lots of countries, nations, languages, religions, cultures, costumes but also lots of disagreements. History has it that there was never peace and respect among nations since the formation of the first State. From the beginning of the first conflict till date, wars have been fought for the same cause: political differences, trade, religion, liberation, dynasty, seizure of territory, the annihilation of a rival State, the destruction of the enemy's ability to prosecute military action, revolution or genocide.
We can recall aggressive War of Alexander the Great, nine Crusade Wars, Spanish Succession, Hundred Years' War (France-England), American Civil War, or 20th century wars; World Wars I and II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Iran-Iraq War, Gulf War, Yugoslav War, among others.
There was not yet a single year without war in history known to mankind; and it seems mankind was yet to learn bitter lessons from centuries of fighting and conflicts; wars had never brought anything good to nations and countries. Currently, in contemporary days there are thirty two (32) ongoing wars which are being fought around the World. These include: Sri Lanka Civil War, Second Chechen War, War in Afghanistan, Civil War in Cote d'Ivoire, Central African War, Iraq War, War in Somalia, age-old Arab-Israel/Israel-Palestine (including al-Aqsa Intifada) conflict, among others.
Wars are now being fought in under-developed regions without any serious threat of spreading to neighboring countries, thought that may soon change. The World is altering, and countries are developing with the formation of new Unions, financial help and foreign investments. Very soon the World will be without the so-called Third World Countries, and without territories to start war. Would that signal the end of wars, or usher in new form of modern warfare into the World?
According to these facts and enormous velocity and evolution of the World, in the future we can expect more wars; wars that will be fought between industrial countries. These wars may not take place in our lifetime, but it offers mankind some food for thought which calls for critical thinking and preventive actions. It looks as thought some countries are not recognized and their voice is not heard so they use all necessary means to be heard even if it meant the use of force, start war and take some lives along that path. Consequently, it behoves on the United Nations to get serious in its business and invite all countries to become members of the world body and make them discuss issues of concern in diversified arena in peaceful and understanding way, rather than sorting issues out in the battlefield.
The question which then arises is: which country, will, first start that war and on which ground it will begin? It is very hard to predict, but as before, it will, most probably begin in Europe and not in the Middle East as many would think.
In Europe, the European Union (EU) is, financially, the strongest and one of the biggest multi-ethnic and multicultural community in the World. But because of too many differences and inability of some members to agree on future political and financial issues, the EU may become unstable, and eventually collapse. Since the EU has enormous influence on many countries, its collapse will start a chain of destabilizations and race for domination. It looks like that history will repeat itself; just that it will cost more.
Contrary to this, the main goal of every country should be to preserve national identity, culture, religion, and of course, financial development, but as long as we have political differences and disrespect for other religions and cultures we will not have peace among nations. If we put these differences aside and focus on helping each other, perhaps there could be a chance to maintain stability in the World.
Time will come when all countries will get united for greater and peaceful goal, but that may come rather too late, though it will foster some degree of unity and understanding as never witnessed before.
Ivan Simic
