Unintended Consequences

Currently we are seeing past leaders such as Tony Blair put to the fire for the outcomes of the 2003 Iraq invasion. Now, I have written many times in various words that peace takes a great deal of projected thought. Often we act within moments of blind knowledge. Those acts bring us unknown reverberations. For those that seek lasting and real peace, they understand the impact of acting with blind knowledge or seeing unintended consequences. In such situations we often hear the phrase – “had I known at the time this would have been the outcome, I would have done something else”. It is within this phrase that the need to understand the reality of unintended consequences is paramount, especially within the context of war. However, there are some that will say that we have no clue what an unintended consequence can be. Yet, when we are dealing with peace we have a great understanding of what will transpire. What we have little knowledge of is the impact of war. Even though we have been engaging in war for thousands of years we have a wide knowledge base of how to get into war and manage war. Sadly we lack proficient skills with finishing or avoiding war at the global leadership level. One great example of unintended consequences is Alfred Noble and dynamite. He immediately witnessed the unintended uses of dynamite as a terrorist tool to kill others. Other areas of concern deals with technology. An example is the wide use of internet and global internet security. On one side, the use of the internet is great for sharing ideas and information widely and instantly. On another side we have not seeing as much theft of information. We are all experimenting with life and there are some things that we just can not know unless we take action. From a peace perspective we know that we can understand a great deal more of what will transpire than if we acted with non-peaceful mind.

Borders, culture, control and identity

If you have ever read my About Me side bar, thank you. Truly though, that side bar explains how connected I see everything in this world is. At the moment we have Britain leaving the European Union while the entire continent of Africa is seeking a single passport system. We also have an old rivalry heating up between Russia and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Further to these evolving dynamics we have the emergence of the Asian Development Bank and the Trans Pacific Partnership. In each of the above elements, there are global impacts which will have consequences for many individuals. It is the task of each individual to remain at peace during difficultly. These conflicting times really test our resolve to be peaceful. I think we have come to a point where we understand that war, violence, killing each other solves very little. Now at the same time I understand that insanity is a large factor of life and someone will act with deadly force. An example is Daesh (ISIS) and we must also note that every country has episodes of insanity. For example the Iraq war, Ukraine, Syria, Democratic Republic of Congo and other civil wars should have all been avoided. Sadly they could have been avoided. Today, we must see the wisdom of peace. We must understand the large dynamics of global peace within the smaller elements of life, whatever realm we work within. No country will go without having some impact of Britain leaving the European Union just as no country has gone without being impacted by the Syrian war. Peace is very much about managing todays upheavals in context of tomorrow relational needs. This is where all the wisdom quotes, clichés, axioms and catch phrases come into play. However, what is needed is for us to actually act in the manner of those wise words. For those words to take hold we must understand why we need to act in such a manner. To answer the why question, the largest question that is before us is – What are we building. We are building, cultures, identity, homes and doing so within a set boundary. Each of us will have a different goal and path that will intertwine with everyone, thus conflict. Due to this natural occurrence we must control ourselves as we cross boundaries and culture. These are the experiments of life each of us engage in, whether we like it or not.

the Unknown of Global Governance

Will Britain leave the European Union? Will BRICS formulate a new world currency? What is the next Trans Pacific Partnership deal or Multilateral Agreement on Investment? Who will be the next sitting government leader to go to trial and be convicted? Each of these questions deal with the balance of power and control single countries must grapple with. As each of us forge ahead into the unknown we build what we think is better. Reality has shocked us with the unintended consequences of our actions. For example we have the debate of control and power between governments and multinational corporations. There is also the debate about whether countries who stand for democracy actually are democratic. Then there are countries that define themselves one way yet act in complete contradiction to their own proclaimed identity. Aside from the governments we must be aware of the wild card factors. Those being non-state actors, terrorist organizations, non-government organizations and the one percent of extremely wealthy individuals around the world. Due to all of these influences the topic of global governance has been an idealistic and cumbersome discussion. You would think that the ideology of having one set of rules would be an easy one to implement. Yet for whatever reason it has eluded us due to the desire to have control and individuality. However we have heard arguments of multinational corporations having more power than a governments. This was a main opposition point for the Multilateral Agreement on Investment in the late 1990’s. The same is being said about the Trans Pacific Partnership. Identity and control are the two main points which fuel the debate concerning the European Union and what is known as BREXIT. Such exercises are necessary and useful when it comes to experiments with large regional/global partnerships. We must be willing to step into the unknown at times just to see what happens. It is that point which the global governance issue is centered upon, at least in my thoughts.

Chadian dictator sentenced

This week we witnessed the sentencing of former Chadian dictator Hissene Habre to life in prison for crime against humanity, war crimes and other deeds of utter stupidity. As we forge ahead in building a world that is peaceful, orderly and governed with great wisdom and compassion, there will be many more leaders sentenced. We are not there yet but the road is being built. This is the next step in a long journey towards our dreams of a just society. At moments such as these the victims of these crimes have some consolation yet must still deal with the reality of the past. Each person has a singular journey to travel yet they can find some comfort in the knowledge that the world is slowly getting things set right. In many of the wars taking place right now, there are such actors as Hissene Habre. Bringing these people to account is a challenge. Due to the creation of the International Criminal Court a large step was made. Now we have a former head of state being charged. At some point we knew this was going to happen. There have been many other leaders charged but only a very few brought to trial or convicted or sentenced. Leaders such as Ghaddaffi faced a different court, as did Saddam Hussein. These types of courts are not what is desired in a peaceful world but they are a reality we must be aware of them, even if they are rife with corruption. With International Justice day approaching on 16July, we need to look at what is being built for a better tomorrow.

Children of War

Just read the link and let it sink in. http://www.peacedirect.org/exclusive-general-barakas-one-hundred-children-2?utm_source=Main+List&utm_campaign=853b4bcda7-PD_blog_roundup&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_72c3c9e100-853b4bcda7-300686518

Peace and Faith

Packing up a few belongings after your entire home/town has been destroyed and walking into the complete unknown is rarely a choice people want to make. However when your entire home has been destroyed there is often only the choice of stay and die or leave and maybe live, what choice is there? Some do stay which means they will have to fight every second for everything. When the decision is made to leave there is a hope of food and security in refugee camps. Of course when the destination of the refugee camp is made your thoughts of food and security are changed and basic life existence is quickly understood. In all of this rests the unrelenting capacity of faith and peace. Each of us strive to succeed in obtaining peace. Peace is the singular goal of every person alive. This faith we all share and yet we have so many methods of getting there. Some of us believe that if we kill enough people, eventually we will get rid of those that are stopping us from obtaining peace. Some of us believe that if we segregate the right people then peace will take hold. Ironically almost every religious icon has been hated by some. For example Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, Vishnu and Buddha have all had enemies and these are the pillars of faith that we have today. So if these foundational prophets or gods have enemies what does that indicate for us? Before everyone gives up we must realize that each of those mentioned above preached the need for individuals to reach their own peace first. That is the apex of all our troubles. We have gotten wrapped up in forcing others how to live. The path to peace is through the individual finding peace in everything. Anger is an emotion that tells you where you have to change. Not how others have to change. Frustration is an emotion that tells us where we have more work to accomplish with ourselves. Suppressing others is our own insecurities being imposed upon others. Instead of suppressing someone or hating someone, seek to change your own understanding of the world. That is the path to peace. When you feel such emotions look for what that is telling you about your own life. The moment you try to justify actions or thoughts towards another you have given up on being a peaceful person. This is where faith takes a major role. Each of us have to trust in ourselves to remain focused on peace. If anyone breaks that focus within themselves the entire world of peace is broken. Peace relies on each of us to remain focused. We must retain the faith of peace within to achieve peace without.

Global Power Struggle

As has been stated before, Syria is a grand example of how not to conduct a process to end a violent conflict. Never mind the violence taking place on the ground, one of the largest barriers to peace rests with two countries that really should have no say in how the peace process is dealt with. These two barriers are Russia and Republic of the United States (RUSA). From the very outset of the Syrian war, these two have caused a great deal of damage just by holding up the process of peace. Here we are five years into the destruction of Syria and there is escalation of fear in a worsening situation. What is the reason for this escalation? What is so important that we must allow millions of people to be destroyed as we do close to nothing to end the violence? To be completely realist, the only reason is ego. Sadly the flag of complexity will be raised as solutions are discussed. Well in truth there is a complexity involved which deals with relationships of global power. Syria just happens to be the proxy war the childish behavior of Russia and RUSA is being waged upon. How are we to bring peace when the two major powers are actually fighting each other? Even though we have to acknowledge the difficulties, the true nature of the challenges rest within the complete idiocy of leadership. This war is made ever more painful when we realize that it could have been stopped years ago. Here we are today with the possibility of another five years to endure the destruction of people. As that continues we are ever more increasing the chances of more hatred to take root in the next global terrorist leader. There is no one actual method to the Syrian war. We must come to understand that the peace effort has taken the same route as the war – weak leadership that allows individual actors to drift along doing as they please with no consequence or remorse. The solution absolutely needs the voice of each person in the world to stand up and demand their leaders act with less combative ego. Until we come to terms on a unified strategy, leadership structure, ideology and outcome goals we are doomed to have this war rage on for many more years.