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When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace

When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace

The Geneva Academy reports that over 110 armed conflicts are currently being monitored worldwide, with a significant number occurring in the Middle East (45), Africa (35), Asia (21), Europe (7), and Latin America (6). This violence has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions of people displaced, particularly affecting children whose basic human rights are violated, leading to severe long-term consequences for their health and development. Global migration patterns have also created major global issues throughout the world.

Given this alarming situation, one must ask: Where is the United Nations? Why was the United Nations created to offer peace and security to the whole planet but helpless and unable to provide peace and security. Why isn’t the United Nations doing more to stop the war?  “To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war“ are among the first very words of the UN Charter and those words were the main motivation for creating the United Nations, whose founders had lived through the devastation of two world wars by 1945. Since the UN’s creation on 24 October 1945 the United Nations has often been called upon to prevent disputes from escalating into war, or to help restore peace following the outbreak of armed conflict, and to promote lasting peace in societies emerging from war.

Yet, many observers believe the UN Security Council appears ineffective in addressing current global conflicts. The council, designed in a different era, is hindered by a veto system that often results in inaction amidst fundamental disagreements among its permanent members. The permanent members – the US, the UK, France, the Soviet Union, and China – were each given the power to veto any resolutions they opposed. What we’re seeing is, when there’s a fundamental disagreement among the permanent members, nothing happens. Actually, the problem is that the wars are not only fought in the field but also with veto powers inside the security council.

Reforms have been suggested to adapt the Security Council to contemporary geopolitical realities, but the challenge remains that no nation is willing to relinquish its power. This stagnation occurs while military spending soars, reaching $2.443 trillion in 2023, an increase of 6.8 per cent in real terms from 2022. This was the steepest year-on-year increase since 2009. The 10 largest spenders in 2023—led by the United States, China and Russia—all increased their military spending, according to new data on global military spending published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), available at www.sipri.org. 

Abdul Baha, son of the Founder and Prophet of the Baha’i Faith in one of His Writings reflected on the nature of war, attributing it to the greed of a few while emphasizing the suffering it causes to countless individuals and families. “But war is made for the satisfaction of men’s ambition; for the sake of worldly gain to the few, terrible misery is brought to numberless homes, breaking the hearts of hundreds of men and women! How many widows mourn their husbands, how many stories of savage cruelty do we hear! How many little orphaned children are crying for their dead fathers, how many women are weeping for their slain sons! There is nothing so heart-breaking and terrible as an outburst of human savagery.”

He urged that when thoughts of war arise, they should be countered with thoughts of peace and love. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love. Thoughts of war bring destruction to all harmony, well-being, restfulness and content. Thoughts of love are constructive of brotherhood, peace, friendship, and happiness.

In conflicts, women face unique challenges, often suffering from violence and lacking access to basic healthcare. The international community, including the UN and its member states, must prioritize effective conflict prevention mechanisms to sustain peace and address the needs of those affected by war.

The time for significant reform within the UN, particularly regarding the Security Council’s veto powers, is now. It is imperative for the global community to come together to foster a more just and peaceful world.



 

 

 

 

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