THE VIEW FROM RIZAL
In 1972, Australia’s representative to the Miss Universe Pageant held in Puerto Rico was a stunning woman from Perth named Kerry Ann Wells. She had a memorable answer to the question asked the five finalists: “If you can change who you are today, who would you want to be?”
Miss Wells said, “I would want to be somebody who can dictate peace to the whole world.”
Miss Australia won the coveted Miss Universe title that year. She was one of the most beautiful among the 72 women who have held that title. She had a memorable reign and did her country – the “Land Down Under” – proud. There was one thing she was unable to do: “dictate peace to the whole world.” Today, more than half-a-century after she was crowned, the world is still looking for one who can do so.
If one were to base the understanding of where the world is today on what media has been reporting, we can only conclude that, yes, there is basis for the fear that we are closer more than ever to a world war.
Recent developments in various corners of the world have fanned the flames of that fear. Outgoing United States President Joe Biden had authorized Ukraine to fire US-made missiles into Russian territory. The daring move appears to be a response to the deployment by Russia of hundreds of thousands of North Korean soldiers in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. A few days ago, Ukraine carried out long-range missile attacks using US and British-supplied ammunition. Russia was quick to retaliate using intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Meanwhile, the conflict in the Middle East appears to be escalating as Israel expands its battlefronts. Just over the weekend, there were reports that Israel had fired missiles into Syria, expanding its military engagement which started two years ago in Gaza. It has also been occasionally exchanging rains of missiles with Iran.
Closer to home, heated word war has increased in the West Philippine Sea. Our national leadership took a bold move to pass a law legalizing our claims in the disputed waters, strengthening our claim and our rejection of the claims by other countries in what we believe is part of our territory.
Compounding our worries at home is the apparent escalation of a worsening row between powerful political elements within our country.
These developments and more compel us to ask, are we closer to a world war?
International scholars appear to be in consensus. A Boston University professor gave the most “consoling” prognosis. He said recently, “We are now closer to World War III than we were last year but are still several steps away from a conflict akin to World Wars I and II.”
So, who can move us away from that direction?
It is interesting that, when one looks at the list of the most powerful leaders in the world today, most of them are be involved in the escalating tension.
Several lists, including that of Forbes and Reuters, put the current leaders of China and Russia at the top two spots. In other listings, the Prime Minister of India is included in the top three spots, with the President of the United States landing in fourth or fifth.
In the bid to prevent another world war, the United States and the incoming US President is widely believed to have a key role. Today, the US is viewed as the “only” real superpower in the world, a status which political and military observers say its key adversaries want to change. If the US is to prevent that war from happening, it will have to reestablish its dominance and remind its adversaries about the superiority of its military.
In other words, “fear” of the US is the key deterrent to a global war. We wish the incoming US President all the best in the bid to accomplish this.
The other deterrent is “diplomacy.” We hope that the important players in the brewing conflicts would return to the table and use the tools of diplomacy to look for ways to satisfy their respective interests without having to sacrifice the overarching interest of peace and human survival.
This return to diplomacy is urgent and crucial. Albert Einstein reminded us of the dire consequences of plunging the world into a Third World War. He said:
“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.”
Less than a month from now, the world will celebrate the birthday of the Prince of Peace.
We invite our readers to include the cause of peace in their prayers during this season.
Perhaps, we must return to the truth that there is only one who can truly command peace – peace in the hearts of men. And, that peace is the key to peace in our troubled world.
(The author is the mayor of Antipolo City, former Rizal governor, DENR assistant secretary and LLDA general manager. Email: [email protected])