The world is once again witnessing a tragic conflict between Russia and Ukraine and Ukraine is bleeding this time. On Twitter, a photograph of a Ukrainian father bidding farewell to his daughter has been trending as of late. Anyone with a smidgeon of humanity in their hearts would never go to war. Will such photographs have an impact on Russian President Vladimir Putin? Will the plight of innocent children sway the hearts of generals, legislators, and media commentators who feel that war is a successful business in our sophisticated and civilized world?
Hundreds of such heartbreaking photographs of screaming, wounded, bleeding, and defenseless children have recently surfaced in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Kashmir, Palestine, Yemen, and elsewhere. Invading armies crushed humanity for the sake of fake glory, and people became victims. As Ukraine drowns in blood, I, like millions of others across the world, am watching the scenario unfold on TV screens and following Twitter trends and social media in general. After all, before I am a professional, I am a human being and a father, and I cannot suppress my feelings.
Power and wealth are important to governing elites, emotions and relationships are not; perhaps this explains why imperialists have never learned from history. From Vietnam through Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, America and Russia have never won a war in my lifetime. Before entering Afghanistan, Russia was a part of the Soviet Union, and since the humiliating loss that resulted in the fall of Kabul, many analysts have warned that “the end of America's empire would not be peaceful.”
But imperialist America would never allow that to happen without a fight, as another war is always around the corner.
Ukraine has become the battleground for the imperialists now. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is likely to alter the direction of European and global history. Even though history demonstrates that the only answer to the Ukraine crisis is peace, not another imperialistic war.
However, the truth is that we simply read and quote history, we seldom learn anything from it. Once again, the developed and civilized world has failed miserably at establishing peace. It appears like a new never-ending conflict is about to take shape, one that we will forget about soon. Who is to blame now that the conflict has begun? Politicians, commentators in the media, or arms manufacturers? After all, war is a profitable industry that makes billions for those vested.
In recent history, political and military elites, notably in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, have waged merciless wars under the pretense of “establishing democracy” and alleged terrorist threats, in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. The harsh reality is that America and several Western nations have built, sponsored, and even tolerated various rebel and terrorist groups themselves.
Since then, countries with colonialist pasts have pursued certain groups -- such as al-Qaeda and other known terrorist groups -- across Europe, Asia, and Africa, particularly in Syria, Libya, and Somalia, under the guise of establishing democracy in those nations. The results of the United States’ activities in these regions have resulted in nothing but devastation, death, and economic collapse.
Humanity collectively needs to move away from the very notion of war. In the past few decades, instigating, sponsoring, and approving conflicts all around the world have brought nothing to any of the parties involved: What benefits have the United States and its allies reaped in their war sponsorship? Nothing.
Several notable academics, defense professionals, politicians, and media commentators -- ironically from the United States and the United Kingdom -- have been warning of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine up until it became a reality. And now we are all left wondering what’s to come next,
The big issue is whether Russia will stop its unabated devastation of Ukraine or if its invading soldiers will continue marching westward. Would Russia invade Sweden's Gotland (again)?. Putin has expansionary intentions for Europe and may seize sections of European territory. It’s safe to assert that Russia has clear hegemonic designs.
The question is whether Russia will retain control of Ukrainian land if it controls Ukraine. Will Russia be able to deal with a new opposition movement backed by the United States and its European allies? Finally, what influence would Russia's invasion of Ukraine have on Asia?
Next, if territorial claims allow Putin to invade an independent nation and publicly assist and acknowledge rebels in Eastern Ukraine, other powerful countries, such as China, may follow in Putin's footsteps. So, what happens next? Where will it all come to an end? Has a peaceful world ever been a part of Putin’s designs as a world leader? The answer to that last question is what should concern us all.
Yemad Fayed Ahmed is a public relations professional.