What are wars all about? There are defensive and offensive wars. They are about territory, subjugation, liberation, religion and hatred. Those wars which are about conquest are the most puzzling to me. What kind of person or people engage in this kind of conflict?
You would think that all aggressive wars would be started by those who are bigger and stronger than those being attacked and this used to be true, but today, this is not the case. Smaller and weaker countries threaten larger and stronger countries, terrorist groups of small size challenge large powerful countries, patriots challenge the rule of tyrants against large, brutal military might.
We learn about ancient, even modern empires created through conquest and seem to glorify them. These brutal wars were responsible for millions of deaths and were on the same level, with the same intent as common criminals who steal from others and kill them in the process. Is there glory in that?
There seems to be no solution that would end all wars. As long as there are men who seek power and have no scruples about how to obtain and hold it, we are doomed to everlasting wars. Then there are those who foment hatred to obtain and hold onto power and often to obtain wealth. These are lunatics who are experts in manipulating peoples' emotions with lies and fears and would annihilate opposition without mercy.
As they say, "War is Hell", but if you are not prepared for it, what could follow would be even worse. A "big stick" may not stop someone from attacking you but it helps in defending yourself.
You would think that all aggressive wars would be started by those who are bigger and stronger than those being attacked and this used to be true, but today, this is not the case. Smaller and weaker countries threaten larger and stronger countries, terrorist groups of small size challenge large powerful countries, patriots challenge the rule of tyrants against large, brutal military might.
We learn about ancient, even modern empires created through conquest and seem to glorify them. These brutal wars were responsible for millions of deaths and were on the same level, with the same intent as common criminals who steal from others and kill them in the process. Is there glory in that?
There seems to be no solution that would end all wars. As long as there are men who seek power and have no scruples about how to obtain and hold it, we are doomed to everlasting wars. Then there are those who foment hatred to obtain and hold onto power and often to obtain wealth. These are lunatics who are experts in manipulating peoples' emotions with lies and fears and would annihilate opposition without mercy.
As they say, "War is Hell", but if you are not prepared for it, what could follow would be even worse. A "big stick" may not stop someone from attacking you but it helps in defending yourself.
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