War and Peace

 INTRODUCTION:

Both war and peace make no sense without each other. Imagine a situation full of peace—war would neither be known nor considered, and peace itself would lose its value. Similarly, the absence of peace would highlight the significance of war. From the world's creation, the universe was full of explosions and chaos. This continuous transformation eventually led to the evolution of humans, progressing from Homo erectus to Neanderthals and many more stages. Humans began to settle on land, claiming ownership and entitling themselves to territories. From this, concepts of power, politics, and governing bodies emerged, laying the groundwork for wars to establish dominance.

From then until now, the tradition of war has been passed down from generation to generation.

WHY?

A fundamental question arises: why do humans need to practice war? Humans are unique beings with identities beyond just themselves. We have names, religions, languages, cultures, classes, and more. These identities are not inherently wrong unless they create tension. Unfortunately, these very identities have often led to differences among people, fostering competition and conflict as groups strive to prove their superiority. This has been the root cause of every war throughout history.

In 2024 alone, over 56 conflicts have been recorded—the highest number since World War II. Conflicts in Gaza (where 60% of civilian casualties were reported), Sudan (with 18,000 lives lost), and Syria (14 years of ongoing war) are just some examples of the “casual casualties” witnessed this year.

Sometimes, war is seen as a necessary evil to propagate peace. The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni once said, “If you want peace, prepare for war.” While her statement might have been made in a different context, it carries a profound meaning. However, the outcomes of war can never truly be justified.

CONCLUSION

Today’s world is on a trajectory toward greater conflict, which could drastically reshape our future. We are well aware of the destruction that war brings. Therefore, let us hope for a better future—one filled with peace.