The Realpolitik of Peace Is the Only Way Forward

“I speak of peace, therefore, as the necessary rational end of rational men. I realize that the pursuit of peace is not as dramatic as the pursuit of war...But we have no more urgent task.”

- President John F. Kennedy, Commencement Address at American University, Washington, D.C., June 10, 1963  

We are in a rare cataclysmic moment in history. Such moments arise when the world as we know it is on the precipice of change. The shifts are total—political, economic, technological, and cultural—and this unique convergence defines our present reality.

We must not waste this moment; instead, we must take the necessary care to build something new, better, and lasting. Clinging to what is old may bring comfort, but it is a fool’s errand. Change is already afoot. The nature of that change, however, can still be shaped.

In our cruel world, violence—or whatever euphemism is used—is inescapable. Our feeds are filled with images of children in decimated neighborhoods, reeling from yet another conflict. There have been periods when violence reached even greater levels. 

The Crusades and related conflicts lasted for centuries. In the 1600s, the Thirty Years’ War decimated nearly half of Germany’s population. World War II wiped up to 100 million souls from the face of the Earth. However, the danger of unbridled war today, at a time of centripetal change, imperils us all. 

It is the responsibility of leaders to pursue peace. Leaders of this world, and most of all the president of the United States, have a unique responsibility—not tomorrow, not the day after that, but today—to contain the ever-increasing threat of war. 

As borders shift, technology displaces, and economies turn societies upside down, the desire to use violence will only increase. In addition, a consolidated global system will not exist in the coming years to stop the growing march to war. That means it is in our collective interest to end ongoing wars and prevent new ones from starting—now. 

At this very juncture, there are three active conflicts involving nuclear powers: Israel in Gaza, Pakistan and India, and Russia and Ukraine. That is unacceptable. There are many moral reasons to stop wars, shame people for their silence as people perish, and criticize those in power for caring less about those without power who suffer the consequences. Unfortunately, these calls often fall on deaf ears. 

At the same time, there are broader consequences to consider. The world’s prosperity, the safety of nations, and the entire pendulum of change hang in the balance. Nevertheless, some parties, focused only on narrow interests, do not care about this collective threat to humanity. They must not be allowed to prevail in the corridors of power. 

There is a battle unfolding right now in these corridors. On one side, realism is taking root, seeking to contain the violence, at least to the extent that it can be, so that the march into the future can begin. On the other side are war profiteers who have perverse interests, either driven by tribalism, greed, or worse, that seek to undermine any efforts for peace. 

That latter group is abetted on the outside by those with a lust for money. Individuals who want a promotion, a bigger house, and professional plaudits, therefore shelving greater concerns for pursuing petty ones. National leaders who question the importance of safeguarding a billion lives when they can instead safeguard a trillion dollars. But in these times that demand greatness, individuals and leaders must find the courage to speak for peace. 

As President Donald J. Trump travels to the Middle East, nuclear states are locked in various battles around the world. Every single person he meets should call for peace and encourage the moves of those in the corridors of power who do the same. For Israel and Gaza. For Russia and Ukraine.  For the Subcontinent. Yes, the devil is in the details. But the devil is also whispering in the ears of those making decisions, saying, “Let them fight on.”

If only business deals prevail next week and the wars continue unabated, it will undermine any moves to create a positive shift in our world. No interest is served if temporary prosperity is built on the back of sustained violence. Without the guarantee of peace, there is no guarantee of prosperity. 

The realpolitik of peace is the only way forward. And it is in everyone’s interest.