Dear editor:
By ironic coincidence, the very informative article titled: "The future of force" by professor Joseph S. Nye from Harvard University was published (Feb. 16) during the week in which a draft resolution for the 70th anniversary of the end of the World War II was officially circulated among the 193 member states of the United Nations.
Nye's article deals with the question about what kind of war the militaries of today should be preparing to fight. It concludes with the assertion that at a time of unprecedented change, the U.S. ― and other major powers ― must be ready for anything.
The draft resolution mentioned above is co-sponsored by 38 countries representing all continents. This diplomatic document reminds us that the U.N. General Assembly declared May 8 and 9 as a time of remembrance and reconciliation after the World War II which brought untold sorrow to humankind, particularly in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Pacific and other parts of the world. As 2015 will mark the 70th anniversary of the creation of the U.N., a strong appeal is addressed to all states to unite their efforts in dealing with challenges and threats to international peace and security, and to make every effort to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state and to settle all disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the U.N. Charter.
Giving tangibility at a universal level to the fundamental principle of the non-use of force should be recognized as one of the most urgent priorities by the world community of nations. If this imperative is ignored, our planet risks becoming a theater for fifth-generation warfare characterized, as mentioned by professor Nye, by the replacement of interstate war with armed conflicts involving non-state actors, such as insurgent groups, terrorist networks, militias, and criminal organizations.
Under such dangerous circumstances, any uncontrolled use of force will seriously challenge humankind with the threat of the catastrophic death of world peace. The tragic lessons of World War II must never be forgotten while thinking about our common future.
By ironic coincidence, the very informative article titled: "The future of force" by professor Joseph S. Nye from Harvard University was published (Feb. 16) during the week in which a draft resolution for the 70th anniversary of the end of the World War II was officially circulated among the 193 member states of the United Nations.
Nye's article deals with the question about what kind of war the militaries of today should be preparing to fight. It concludes with the assertion that at a time of unprecedented change, the U.S. ― and other major powers ― must be ready for anything.
The draft resolution mentioned above is co-sponsored by 38 countries representing all continents. This diplomatic document reminds us that the U.N. General Assembly declared May 8 and 9 as a time of remembrance and reconciliation after the World War II which brought untold sorrow to humankind, particularly in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Pacific and other parts of the world. As 2015 will mark the 70th anniversary of the creation of the U.N., a strong appeal is addressed to all states to unite their efforts in dealing with challenges and threats to international peace and security, and to make every effort to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state and to settle all disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the U.N. Charter.
Giving tangibility at a universal level to the fundamental principle of the non-use of force should be recognized as one of the most urgent priorities by the world community of nations. If this imperative is ignored, our planet risks becoming a theater for fifth-generation warfare characterized, as mentioned by professor Nye, by the replacement of interstate war with armed conflicts involving non-state actors, such as insurgent groups, terrorist networks, militias, and criminal organizations.
Under such dangerous circumstances, any uncontrolled use of force will seriously challenge humankind with the threat of the catastrophic death of world peace. The tragic lessons of World War II must never be forgotten while thinking about our common future.
Ioan Voicu,
Bangkok
Visiting Professor
Assumption University,
E-mail : ioanvoicu@yahoo.com
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