No nation, no matter how rich, is an island, and no country, no matter how strong, is a fortress. We live in increasingly interconnected interdependent world. We cannot afford to be indifferent to each other’s concerns and suffering or unengaged in each other’s problems and dilemmas. Every conflict and every disaster now has global implications. The sooner we understand that the better for us all. Continue reading “Citizens of Earth”
This is the 21st century and yet, somehow, we still need to remind ourselves that genocide is wrong, that it is not an acceptable tool to achieve a certain geopolitical end, real or perceived, and that no country or government is entitled to engage in it without consequences and while shielding itself using terms like “domestic affairs” and “national sovereignty.” It’s disgusting that we still need to debate whether intervention meant to prevent or stop genocide is “wise.”
If noting the geopolitical nature of the motives involved behind a country’s external adventurism is to be treated as sufficient factor for legitimizing that country’s behavior, then, no country can be ever be faulted or condemned for its adventurism, be it an Iran, a Russia, a China, a France or a United States. As such, those who insist on justifying Iran, Russia or China’s adventurism while condemning France’s or America’s reveal their ideological slant and hypocrisy. If one is truly opposed to intervention in the “internal” affairs of other states one has to do it across the board, and not play favorites.
There will still be crime and criminal activities: some as old as civilization (e.g., prostitution and human trafficking), some new in form if not essence (e.g., cybercrime). There will still natural disasters, social upheaval, family breakups, poverty and assassinations. There will even still be a need for a limited military action in one hapless part of the world or another.
The Ammar Abdulhamid Archive 