Wars have been a constant feature of human history, with
conflicts breaking out between countries and within nations. Civil wars can
arise due to differences based on race, religion, or socio-economic factors,
among others. Regardless of the type of war, the effects are often
devastating and far-reaching.
Experts attribute the main reasons for wars to human greed for wealth and
intolerance towards others. For instance, many world leaders believe that
the invasion of Iraq by the United States was motivated by the country's oil
wealth. The resulting war claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of
Iraqi civilians, American and Iraqi soldiers, and left many others injured
or maimed. Similarly, the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq resulted in
over one million casualties and millions of injuries. The 9/11 terrorist
attacks on the World Trade Center claimed the lives of almost three thousand
people, leading to a subsequent reprisal by American forces in Afghanistan,
which caused the deaths of thousands of people. The combined toll of World
War 1 and World War 2 resulted in millions of casualties, and tribal and
regional wars continue to occur in many parts of the African continent.
The effects of war are both physical and psychological, and societies are
deeply impacted. Wars destroy residential areas, public infrastructure, and
hospitals, causing a significant setback to the basic needs of human
existence. Malaysia, for example, experienced war when it was occupied by
the Japanese, and people faced many hardships and challenges to meet their
basic needs. The use of unconventional weapons, such as nuclear bombs in
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, caused thousands of deaths and lifelong physical and
emotional scars. Thankfully, most warring nations still use conventional
weapons like grenades, rockets, and others, which do not inflict the same
level of damage as nuclear weapons.
War brings untold misery and political and economic instability. People's
lives and daily existence come under threat, making it difficult to find
jobs or live normal day-to-day lives. Populations are displaced, and they
have to constantly move for security. The situation in Darfur, Sudan, is a
prime example of the tragedy that war brings. Some people are scarred
emotionally and physically for life.
Therefore, avoiding war must be a top priority. The only way to protect
lives and ensure stability is by practicing tolerance and respect for one
another. Otherwise, our society is at risk of becoming extinct like the
dinosaurs. |