Even though no one has officially declared the conflagrations around the world as a “world war”, all indications point to this as being the case.
When combat is taking place in a number of theatres, and simultaneously involving tens of millions of people, this phenomenon must be identified and properly named. This is a world war.
In ordinary times, Bahamians and other people in the Commonwealth Caribbean might be forgiven their naivete about the seriousness of the current situation in the world. However, since these are not ordinary times, it is today most urgent that these nations wake up and understand that in this world at war, there is no hiding place for anyone.
In an era when whole countries are being defined as ‘soft targets’ for terrorists, these once idyllic backwaters can no longer feel or believe that they are somehow shielded from ugly world realities. One such reality is the war which is raging around the world. As more and more lives are chewed up, world opinion is being focused on the question as to what is to be done to avert utter disaster.
Like others around the world who are obliged to take note, Bahamians and other Caribbean nationals are today focused on making their territories as safe as possible. As they do so, they take their place in the ranks of other nations and peoples who have already been hit hard. In this regard, Bali, Indonesia comes to mind. This tourist resort was devastated by bomb blasts set off by terrorists. When they struck many people were reminded of any number of dates in history, when other disasters struck.
One such date, in very recent times is Tuesday, September 11, 2001. On that bright sunny blue morning in New York City, terrorists launched coordinated attacks on some of the symbolic bastions of American power and iconic self-assurance.
When the World Trade Centre and The Pentagon were attacked on that fateful morning, it was as if there was an opening salvo of a new world war. Indeed, in the immediate aftermath of the assault on the United States of America, that great country’s Commander in Chief framed the issue in terms of war, as he noted his nation’s commitment to search out, bring to justice, or destroy those who had done the deed.
As in other times, the struggle against Terrorism was immediately cast in crusading terms. It was claimed that the fight was one between Good and Evil. As everyone recognizes, this kind of struggle is literally a fight to the death. And, so it has become.
As the struggle between the United States, its allies and their nemeses intensify, tens of millions of ordinary people have had their lives turn upside down. What has happened in country after country is that innocent civilians are now being targeted. Whether the reference is to suicide attacks in Israel, targeted assassinations against Palestinians, or bombings and mayhem in Spain, the story is the same: civilians are bleeding and dying.
A similar situation is currently unfolding in Haiti, as partisans of deposed
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide waged pitched battles against their antagonists. In other words, Haitians are now terrorising each other. Further afield, hundreds of Spaniards were killed, and over a thousand wounded, as terrorists struck them. This Thursday past – March 11, 2004 – will be long remembered by Spanish people. On that terrible morning,
The War was brought home to Spain. As of this commentary, it is not clear who set the bombs which caused so much damage.
From one somewhat cynical perspective, it does not matter. What is crucial for all to recognize is that in this new arena, where no distinctions are being made between combatants and civilians, everyone is a potential target. The talk now in some circles turns on trying to identify the phantom forces, which are bringing so much hurt, and death to so many. Other observers are beginning to suggest that this world war will last for a very long time. As bizarre as it sounds, there is the insistent suggestion that people will somehow have to get used to the idea of living in the pervasive shadow of sudden death.
While we understand how people could come to such a conclusion, our view is that this is a recipe for defeat. It is also a muted cry of despair. We are quite convinced that terror and terrorist can be defeated. We are also convinced that the vast majority of the world’s peoples want to share in the good things life should and does at times offer. High on that list would be rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But by the same token however, we are also quite persuaded that terrorists and terrorism will not be defeated any time soon, so long as the social conditions which breed them are not identified and examined.
As in other instances where there are differences in world view between people in conflict, those disagreements should not be magnified and exaggerated to the extent where The Other is demonised. This is precisely what happens when one side is convinced that it is on the side of the angels and is conversely persuaded that its enemies are Evil incarnate. When this happens, there is no room left for compromise.
There is a sense, then, that there is a pressing need for those who do not see the current struggle in such stark terms, to come forward and speak. They might yet bring a measure of sanity to a world where madness seems to reign supreme.
The Bahama Journal
