Dr. Umar Khan
Dr. Khan belongs to a Lahore based Think Tank.
15-3-25
The beneficiaries of wars
“My only worry of the Iran/Iraq war is that one day it
will end” Henry Kissinger
“Let the flame of Afghan war
burn at the right speed.” Gen Zia was reported to have instructed his Generals
meaning prolong the conflict. He and his junta weren’t concerned about the
outcome of the Afghan war and the only thing important for them was its longevity,
it shouldn’t end. And they extended it for a decade.
The Afghan war of 1979-1989
brought legitimacy to the illegal military government of Gen Zia making them
frontline soldiers of the free world fighting the evil communists. Pakistan was
getting financial aid helping the regime keep the population satisfied and
serene. In addition to so many benefits this war also brought lots of goodies
for his greedy generals making Pakistan one of the poorest countries with
richest generals. It was an absolute bonanza.
The unbelievable Gazan attack
on Israel of October 2023 brought greatest relief to the estranged minority
Prime Minister Ben Netanyahu. He smilingly got into his semi military attire
visiting soldiers and working up hype for severe revenge. Surprisingly he
wasn’t asked about his colossal failure of letting such an immense attack
happen while getting away from the corruption charges against him and his
family. It was a new political life for him taking him out of the political
mess he had gotten himself into.
When Russia invaded Ukraine
in February 2022 the happiest person was their young president Zalensky with
uncertain political standing. He got himself in emergency outfit performing to
the international media becoming a freedom fighter and soldier for the free
world. He was a star. This war allowed him to become a darling of the west and
get away with gagging the media, brutalizing the opposition parties and
postponing the elections.
Along with strengthening his
local political position, Zelensky got $ 350B aid from the US and around 200B
from the EU. Out of this $ 550B nearly half or $270B is missing or unaccounted.
Wars are messy and money gets embezzled, but still this as a staggering,
colossal amount.
For the sake of comparison
despite corruption and inefficiencies of 75 years Pakistan’s much hyped foreign
debt is around $ 70B for a nation of 250 million people. This is nearly one
fourth of the missing in the Ukraine war. One can imagine how many must have
benefitted from these $ 270B
No wonder the Ukraine war has
lasted for 3 years with no end in sight and its president resisting all efforts
to end it. According to the US President he might be gambling on another world
war with unimaginable scary prospects. Zelenskyy appears blinded by the largesse
he is reaping due to the Ukraine war finding excuses to prolong it, which are
never a problem specially for an ex standup comedian.
One thing is for sure that
president Zelenskyy and his team are not the only beneficiaries of this war as
the list would include many including segments in donor countries, businesses
and the military industrial complex President Eisenhower warned against. I am
not aware of any business with this kind of enormous returns. The war is an
absolute jackpot for many if we ignore the human cost and the sufferings of
millions of ordinary people on both sides of the battlefield.
Behavioral scientists teach
that most of people’s beliefs are based on their conveniences and not
convictions, although might claim otherwise. With these kinds of benefits that
i just enumerated, it would be very difficult, rather impossible to let them
go. No wonder so many unnecessary wars are fought and they are stretched beyond
comprehension causing havoc in countries but benefitting some exponentially.
The world and human society
has advanced a lot since civilization started and has controlled individual
violence among people effectively but has failed miserably in controlling organized
mass violence, wars. With the advancement of sciences wars have become
unaffordable risking the entire world and the human race. The humanity has to
effectively control the organized mass violence, wars.
To control the spread of wars
we must have institutions of high standing that determine clearly the political
and economic beneficiaries on both sides and expose their names and profits, to
begin with.
Imperialism and the modern
capitalist world has accepted pursuit of national interests as a legitimate
goal without mentioning constraints or scruples. This unchecked and
unrestricted hunt for interests has caused enormous sufferings and must be
brought in a legal framework establishing what constitutes legitimate interest
against plain criminal greed. Scruples must be enumerated and enforced.
To achieve all this control
on spread of information must never be allowed to get monopolized and free
social media ensured. One sided information has to be curtailed and demonizing
of people and nations halted. After killing millions of each other Russians and
Germans realized they were the same kind of humans with weaknesses and strengths.
Its demonizing that allows decent people to become killers.
We must stop glamorizing the
warmongers in history no matter how revered. Alexander should be labeled
psychopath instead of great. In modern history stature of warmongers like
Churchill and Netanyahu must be reassessed. The world doesn’t need nor afford
wars or warmongers anymore.
One of the most remarkable
but neglected books by American Col Neblett of Eisenhower’s staff “No peace with
regulars” explains some aspects of this well and needs to be propagated. Making
portions of the book and other literature exposing the causes of wars and its
futility part of school curriculum can work wonders.
The great Sahir says,
guzashta
jang mein ghar hi jale magar is baar
a’jab nahien k y tanhaaiyaan bhi jal jayein
guzashta jang mein paikar jale magar is baar
a’jab nahien k y parchhaaiyaan bhi jal jayein
During
the last war our homes were burnt but this time
don’t be surprised if our moments of solitude are
burnt, too
During the last war forms and figures were burnt
but this time
don’t be surprised if our shadows are burnt,
too.
“All you have to do is tell (the people) they are being attacked, and denounce
the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It
works the same in any country.”
Hermann Goering.
