OBSERVERS of global events are bound to be concerned with the recent sabre-rattling. Last week North Korea launched missiles, and said that it is intensifying its nuclear programme amidst threats to launch them. In events over the past days honouring the 105th birth anniversary of the late President Kim Il Sung, during the military parade long-range missiles were on full display.
United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump said: “North Korea is a problem, the problem will be taken care of,” and made it known that he and his aides are bracing for the “big event” which is in reference to North Korea’s threat of a nuclear launch. Conversely, the country accused the U.S. of creating a situation for war, threatening a thermonuclear war in response. China, which is its close ally, in weighing its warning against the storm clouds gathering between the two countries, cited fear that a small mistake can lead to catastrophic implications.
Amid U.S./North Korea muscle-flexing, on Thursday the U.S. launched, for the first time, what is described as the ‘mother of all bombs’ in Afghanistan. This attack reportedly targeted caves where ISIS fighters are operating from. Afghanistan officials say the strike killed almost 100 rebels. This non-nuclear bomb, whose estimated cost is US$16M, was made in 2003 during the George W Bush administration.
The Thursday prior (6th April) the U.S. launched missiles on Syria’s airfields. This was in response to the deadly chemical attacks on civilians that ensnared infants. The Bashar al-Assad government has been accused of ordering the attacks. The United Nations Security Council, which held a special meeting to address the chemical attack,  and saw condemnations from various world leaders who held the al-Assad government responsible, did not get the support of Russia. Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council and one of Syria’s most trusted allies. President Vladimir Putin, who blamed Syrian rebels for the attack, has called for proof that the Syrian government was involved.
On the Asian continent there is noticeable tension or expectation with China, Tibet and Taiwan and the U.S. Whereas China is hoping the Trump administration would uphold the U.S. long-held deference to the ‘One China’ policy, Taiwan and Tibet who see themselves independent of China, harbour expectations that Trump would support their desire for independence. Trump reaching out to Taiwan Prime Minister in January was seen as a signal change in U.S. policy which attracted condemnation in the U.S. and from China. The internecine conflicts within the Middle Eastern countries and African countries continue. In Latin America there is political unrest in Venezuela and Brazil. These internal conflicts, if not resolved through amicable means can escalate, inflicting further pains on the people and destruction of their institutions and artifacts.
In Europe, nation-states continue to face the onslaught of terrorist attacks. Recently, Russia’s metro station in St Petersburg was bombed in what was said to be a terrorist attack. Such attacks not only demand increasing diversion of scarce resources to safeguard the security of the people and their infrastructures, but every one gives fodder to xenophobia and extremism.
The Caribbean remains relatively quiet. Guyana last Wednesday and Thursday hosted a delegation from the United Nations in continued efforts to resolve the border controversy with Venezuela. Mindful of our sovereignty and the importance of exploiting our resources for the benefit of the people, even as the country actively promotes worldwide comity, the channels of diplomacy and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) remain our viable path.
Though these conflicts between and among countries have their origins in different issues, world peace requires a dialling down on the sabre-rattling and an intensification of efforts to resolve differences through diplomacy or the ICJ.  In those countries where military might is unquestioned, including our neighbour, there reside within pockets of social injustice, such as poverty and access to basic services, where undoubtedly resources can be channelled.
In this highly mechanised and technological age, wars are no longer isolated in impact and casualties. As human beings we have created enough trouble for ourselves outside of war that requires the utilisation of tremendous resources to fix. There is climate change which poses a threat to survival, poverty is still to be eliminated, social services beg for improvement and fundamental rights and freedoms are not yet universal.  None can deny man wants to live a long, healthy and productive life.  These aspirations have their place, but can only be achieved through continuous dialoguing and acceptance of shared responsibilities.