Where will the Ukraine war lead us?

As the Ukraine war rages on and Atlas shrugs, the globe’s powerless citizen asks: “Oh hell! Where and when is this insane tandav of destruction going to end?” And from his melancholy-filled recesses deep inside comes the plaintive fearful moan, “God knows; but only hope and pray it doesn’t lead to nuclear war.” Similar fear has been voiced by the wise old professor-philosopher Noam Chomsky in his recent interview (The Indian Express, April 7). Says he, “We may move on to terminal nuclear war if we do not pursue the opportunities that exist for a negotiated settlement.”  Speaking further about the prospect of decimation of human life on Earth from almost irreversible environmental destruction and climate change, he adds, “It doesn’t mean everyone is going to die but it does mean moving to a future in which the lucky ones will be those who die quickly.”

Grim, ominous forebodings these!

Well, when we have Hitlers, Putins, Xis and Trumps to guide nations’ destinies and a moribund world monitor, the UN, Chomsky’s utterances strike a chord and trigger waves of despair and gloom.  Chomsky says further that he finds a sinister resonance of Hitler’s speeches which he couldn’t then comprehend as a small boy but felt vaguely fearful, with those made by Trump.

Absolute power doesn’t just corrupt absolutely as goes the cliché, but it also can turn into a powder keg with a huge potential to destroy the whole world. Hitler almost did it. And with the mushrooming crop of despots, dictators and fuhrers all over the world in the recent times, the portentous words of the good professor merit serious thought.

Reverting to the Ukraine war, although no provocation can justify war while the world is grappling with other graver existential issues, the West, this self-centered, hypocritical West, has a lot to answer for. Biden no less. (Oh what a letdown he has been!) He had been constantly pressing Putin’s raw nerve in regard to NATO, making him feel insecure and nervous. And Putin is Putin. Vested with absolute powers and no system of checks and balances to rein him in, he did the unthinkable: unleash war. And though I am no political pundit, I think given India’s volatile geo-political situation, with the mighty Dragon eyeing us with hostile intentions, we have done well not to succumb to the pressure, and have walked the tightrope with deft steps.

So what is the crying need of the hour?

A strong, muscular UN and a reformed Security Council to discipline the errant countries/rulers.

End to the colossal stockpile of nuclear arms. In other words a nuclear weapon-free world.

Strengthening of democratic institutions so that no ruler drunk with unbridled power runs amuck. 

Getting together and pooling all resources for one single universal agenda: preventing climate change.

But as you all know, it is idle, wishful thinking of an ignoramus far too divorced from the hardboiled realpolitik that drives nations and their rulers – some hot-headed, some bigoted, some corrupt –  but all of them bereft of  a vision/will for a happy, beautiful world.

Well, when the humankind’s DNA is pre-programmed to self-destruct itself, no Krishna, Christ and Muhammad can save the beleaguered planet.

Folks, if you are done with day’s WhatsApping, please spare a minute and ponder over Sahir’s stirring nazm on ‘war’. I quote a few lines:

...जंग तो खुद ही एक मसला है,

            जंग क्या मसलों का हल देगी

            इसलिए ए शरीफ इंसानों

            जंग टलती रहे तो बेहतर है

            आप और हम सभी के आँगन में

            शमा जलती रहे तो बेहतर है ...

*