The principle is as old as mankind itself: When you want to get somewhere, you need to know two things, basically: Your finish line – and your starting point.
PEACE is some goal…
When it is a problem to be solved it is important to not just get a hazy idea of some problem or issue… a clear idea of the true problem is vital. Since, trying to find a solution without the clearly identified problem is pointless and a waste of time.
In other words: To get a clear picture of reasons for people doing something – or a system failing, you would look into history: Because it can help to find similar situations you can learn from.
And: Nothing in this life worth having comes easy…but that’s no reason to despair, but: “Keep at it – and remember about the breaks.”
We have come quite some way, in general!
In the past, people for centuries actually found it a great pastime to visit public torture and public hangings!
That has stopped.
In most countries around the world the death penalty has been abolished!
The most simple principle in that respect I have mentioned too, already:
Whatever you colour, creed, or conviction, you are not supposed to either kill, torture or bother other people. Period.
So, again, our goal as societies that have learned a thing or two about communities and responsibility – most, if not all of us yearn for peace: For peaceful coexistence. For more mutual understanding.
People in power these days once more seem, at the moment at least, have begun to realize that they are not just powerful for their own fun – or into the bargain; but that they carry the responsibility for exactly that kind of thing with them, each and every day:
Keep the goal, the ultimate finish line, in focus.
Start thinking it through from the end.
Get proper counselling.
Remember that you are not alone on this planet and that your ‘powerful’ existence as such would be pretty pointless without all the others around….
There are enough people who know that Trump is not to be trusted. Neither is the statement about ‘just’ wanting to destroy the Uranium enrichment facilities in Iran. Nor the ideas in relation to tariff raises for all and any countries outside the US. That’s blackmail, pure and simple.
To start a war on a country to pressure it into deals is extortion.
Even inside the USA people protest against his politics.
As far as Iran is concerned, I wonder how it is possible that almost any diplomatic respect and rules for negotiation have apparently let go?
Since when would you try and pressurize or scare a whole country into a certain position, when before you yourself made negotiations impossible?
Trump cancelled those contracts that had been agreed upon between the US, EU and the IAEA after 10 years of negotiation!
Is it really feasible that any country – how about the US? – would take it like a scared animal, run, hide and then concede anything?
If you do not know yourself and human beings you cannot possibly understand others. Understanding the other, your opposite at the table, is crucial in order to negotiate.
Again I want to remind us all of the 30-Years’-War in Europe during the 17th century: It was not only a long war, with a number indicating that – it took actually 30 years and it left Europe devastated and devoid of more than 50% of its population; whole regions were left waste and destroyed.
The common history and latent memory of humans make it one of the dreadful periods of time. It took years to end that war!
Negotiations were conducted again and again.
Finally, they were successful.
The same way the first agreements about Uranium enrichment control between Iran and the parties concerned took 10 years!
It was the height of irresponsibility to cancel those contracts!
Years later, a country under threats from all sides is moved into a position that leaves almost no way out…
People, start thinking: This is no way to handle that country and its situation!
Iran, for all its internal politics of cruelty and suppression, with reason is proud of a rich and thousands of years old culture and tradition, much older than the Islamic religion.
Additionally, they are used to natural disasters and foreign potentates from all sides attacking that country just for its rich soils, and huge amounts of oil and gas. They had to learn resilience and it has developed into a fine art, basically.
Starting a war can only end in dreadful consequences and more lives lost, yet.
Images licensed via Adobe CC, my graphics. The building is the Supreme Court in the USA. — NOTE: This a fake image I created on purpose to make my point. There was no recent fire — if any — to the Supreme Court.
They say, I mentioned this a while ago, that the emperor Nero of ancient Rome was supposed to be silly; not to say — mad. He was suspected for ages to have set fire to Rome in order to watch it go under in ‘supreme’ flames… and to play the lute as accompaniment.
I wonder, if he was… more recent findings seem to indicate that he couldn’t have burned a whole city because it would have meant literally hundreds of helpers, who would have been too hard to find…even in those times.
Whichever the case was exactly:
Facts are: Rome burnt that day.
And Trump is on his way to do the same. Just a little more modern and true to dictators’ forms: He has bought himself some followers and supporters.
And during his first time in office he already replaced four of the total of nine Supreme Court Justices. So he also has bought himself some justices…
Which makes for ‘smooth sailing’ now.
Another win (‘surprise surprise surprise’…) in front of it: Although he already is a convicted felon on 34 counts ruled guilty in front of a yet existent and legal court of law of the United States of America he not only has been voted (even if it was indeed a very close shave) for the office of president.
He also does everything he can to heap atrocity on outrage, one after another: Supporting people like Netanyahu in Israel who has set Gaza strip and West Bank ‘on fire’. Torturing and killing people on the pretense that it is the terrorists of the Hamas he is trying to hit…
Being on best terms with Putin in Russia, although claiming the contrary.
Power corrupts, apparently. Money does too, some people at least.
Trump knows how to wield terror and use his money to extort and blackmail and bully – true to form. It’s his life’s story. I wonder how dreadfully empty inside he must feel at times – forcing people around him to lie and lick his boots.
“The Picture of Dorian Gray”, by Oscar Wilde, comes to mind.
It even appears that at the moment the threat of Putin to the EU has done what nothing else could more effectively do, so they both get what they want:
Via Trump Putin gets Ukraine.
Via Putin’s apparent threats NATO and EU lick Trump’s boots who can pose as the saviour, and on the side is ‘making the weapon industry’ heaps of money.
Lo and behold: There are still horror stories out there…
‘Denver Clan’ and ‘Dallas’ revisited…
Would that person called Trump be really pitiful, because a half-wit, unable to grasp facts, or actually disturbed in mind, that would be different.
But he is perfectly capable to see the ‘light’ of sense and clear thought. And refuses to do so… And that is his own doing and his own fault.
He is not to be pitied.
In ancient times there was a story of a king, who was cruel, selfish and lawless. Who had a virgin brought to his bedside every night, to revenge himself — from disappointed love, on all womankind — and had each of them killed the next morning.
Scheherazade one day made her father bring her to the throne and started to tell stories to the king. Each she left unfinished so he would be curious for the next night and the ending of that story. When she started another one. After 1001 nights and 1000 stories he let her stay alive and married her, being a more wise and kind king than any before him.
The story not only makes it clear that ‘love’s way to a man’s heart actually is not through the stomach’ — but his mind. As true love always is.
It also and in vivid colours shows that true understanding, grace and wisdom comes from education and empathy.
By the knowledge that no man or woman is alone or actually can exist on their own on this planet. And that we should at some point learn where true calm and serenity and thus happiness lies:
In self-respect which in turn generates respect and even liking for your fellow man — as well as woman.
For hours now the ceasefire has been declared. Israel and Iran have stopped attacking. Negotiating is the next step.
To think that all of this could have been prevented, had not Trump cancelled the contracts with Iran on Uranium enrichment control, is almost inconceivable.
Trust is something that has to be built and be confirmed in private as well as diplomatic relations. Not just once. But continually.
That US-president Trump now starts to position himself as the great saviour is only again true to form: ‘Make it up, say it often enough, some of it will stick.’
Iran is, due to its tradition of thousands of years existent long before Islamic times, a country with ample reason for pride – and knows resilience in the face of adversity only to well.
They will never stoop nor give in – or up – but stay the course to the end, if necessary.
Iran is by itself a country not only rich in culture and arts, it is also rich in oil, gas and soils which practically beckon outside powers to try conquering. They did that for hundreds of years.
The present government in Iran rules with cruelty and suppression internally, that is no point of discussion or even a question.
But there is more to be lost if the idea should be to (mistakenly) meddle with internal affairs of the country. It seems that some sensible counselling has been going on in the background now.
I would wish with all my heart that one day Iran finds its own strength to generate a more free and similar to democratic ideas wielded government and society.
It will not be a copy of Western societies, most probably, but according to the country’s culture something special, fitting its customs and traditions.
Over all of this we should remember too, that the people in Gaza still are suffering. Reports are most tragic and there should be put an end to the reign of someone like Netanyahu, who apparently does not see the limits power should impose on its holder.
That he is so friendly with Trump, beyond the tradition of special support of Israel by the US, is no wonder.
Yet:
At the moment signs are more hopeful.
War is no destiny! Neither is it inborn to mankind. It does not happen overnight, especially not in these postmodern times.
Let’s remember that.
Human beings have wonderful potential for peace and coexistence.
To think that Iran should take all of this ‘lying down’, is practically a child’s vision… People, anyone in governments of NATO, UN, EU and others, what did you expect???
Iran had agreed to contracts for the control of Uranium enrichment after 10 years of negotiation. I wrote about that.
Now, starting to attack the private areas of a country that has suffered so much from international meddling.
At the same time when you look at its history you will realize that pride and resilience always made it stay the course – till the end.
They will defend their country with all that is given them.
ANYONE who knows enough about the history and the particular culture – independent of recent governments – would be able to explain:
THIS is no way to proceed!
President Trump of dollar graces has cancelled the contracts himself a few years ago.
It’s so obvious it’s like a bad dream to look at news broadcastings.
Mr Friedrich Merz, German chancellor, it is clear that talks to president Trump had been based on the usual endeavour to stay ‘in tune’
If anyone really cares – start thinking and get proper counselling. This is the wrong way!
This could end in a third world war.
The foolishness of such a president to the USA and prime minister Netanyahu in Israel cannot be believed. Netanyahu for years had escalated the actions against people in Gaza. In Israel itself Netanyahu has almost no support in the Knesset, where some time ago he won by 2 votes only. The link opens a post on LinkedIn by an Israeli citizen.
For decades such a result was known to be natural should one try and force anyone in that region, Arab or Persian, into a corner.
Start thinking! It’s high time!
Author’s Note:
I am a German born and bred. I was married to a Persian man of peaceful and politically left-wing character. He had official refugee status in Germany until he died.
I have studied culture, history and language of Iran and received an M.A.
I have followed the ideas, the news and the background information for well over thirty years closely. I know that there are more people who know the facts. Well-educated and knowledgeable. Involve them!
I was raised and always of the opinion that one should try and provide justice to all concerned.
In times of war the truth and its implications often become warped.
PEACE is reached by negotiations. War always results from failure to negotiate properly – with deep insights and patience.
2nd Author’s Note (8:35 p.m., local time, UTC+1): Omid Nouripour, vice president to the German Bundestag a few minutes ago reacted very wise, camly and with a fine background understanding on German TV. He is one of those people to include in consultations.
Looking at news in regard to wars – any war – it’s like normal life: People will tell you what they think makes them right. The idea they had in the first place why they were right to start it. The war. The heated argument and possible fist fight.
Yet, too often it is overlooked in wars we deal with long-term interests, such as money – or business. In a general sense: “Where does the money come from – and go?” is an old journalistic principle.
Even older is the Latin phrase that makes it clear as daylight: “Cui bono?” – “Who benefits?”
This conflict between Israel and Iran is not new. And when we listen to the news or read about them, in most cases it becomes clear that in the West people have a lop-sided view: They will report about the bad Iran regime and the good Israel government.
That is a view on matters without any consideration for facts. Often enough in everyday life too the whole truth, the bigger picture, becomes warped with ideas and perspectives; with defense arguments why person A was right and person B was not.
The truth is not always simple: Not in war, not in normal life.
Look closely, at the history and also the main actors of this drama: They have hidden agendas usually to do with money and power.
So dreadfully cruel internally the present Iranian government rules the country – so true is the fact that Iran as a whole has every reason to protect itself from greedy potentates.
Its history is full, I mentioned that more than once, of all those ‘super-powers’ meddling with its politics just because Iran has huge natural resources of gas and oil as well as rich soils beckoning to anyone just interested to make even more money.
Or as is the case with the US, be in dire need of cheap petrol. They have been for decades, if not centuries.
This war was not started for honourable reasons – it is not conducted for honourable reasons – and there is no honourable justification for it.
Practically any war you may take care to review in history, had long periods of time before actual military actions – to develop from conflicts that were not properly negotiated.
Iran had already agreed to contracts to control Uranium enrichment there. Contracts signed on all sides after almost a decade of negotiations. Trump was the one to cancel them during his first stay in office. No one in their right minds can actually want war!
It destroys, kills and leaves people in desperate situations. But then, are people who already have been corrupted by their own power really in ‘their right mind’? Corruption being too deeply set in, would be my guess. To say the least.
The only people who benefit from wars are those companies supplying goods to armies… Is that what we want?
You can easily feel discouraged looking at news these days: People in New Orleans suffer from an attack, numerous people die. The Ukraine-war raging on. The Gaza strip and Israel and Palestine conflicts going on into the 7th decade…
‘What’s going on with people in this world?’, you could ask.
Let’s remember two very important truths:
News are about some aspects of life – but news are not LIFE!
News are often rather sensational, they focus on the dramatic, the ‘scoop’ – because that’s what newspapers and channels live by: Drama sells. (Just as sex does, by the way.)
Courage comes from hope and thus let’s remember:
An African proverb is supposed to run like this:
“If many little people in many little places all around the world do many little things every day, they can change the face of the earth.”
Keep at it – and remember the breaks too!
Know that we are strong, together!
A happy, peaceful and friendly new year to all, with friends and relations – ‘near and dear’ – full of hope and courage!
The times have been dark indeed before. Dark in the sense of tragic and dreadful actions ahead. Not because people were unable to differentiate good from bad. Is it really alright to do anything just for money? Kill, destroy, and then occupy and build with what you have to sell?
Earning money this way: When a country is destroyed completely you have a 100% growth rate in a few decades to come.
And one or the other of those recently appointed to ‘leadership’ in the US may reckon they wouldn’t care too much, since they probably won’t live that long anyway…
Just yesterday a court of law ruled that the legal action against Mr. Trump, president-elect, be dropped for the time being. Since it is about the election 2020 and the proven manipulation of results, this could be the end of it because the statute of limitations might be reached by the time Trump leaves office again.
If he does at all…
The increasing postings online of frightened and worrying ‘brains’ (intelligentsia: people who are well-educated and use their knowledge productively) in the USA thinking of actually leaving a country that has been almost the epitome of freedom of thought and opinion for generations, proves dark times, indeed.
So many signs are there to promise that he will try and become another dictator, similar to Putin’s way to power in Russia… We may not be let go this time anymore.
‘We’, because the power balances in place since World War II let anything the USA and their foreign policies start, have a forceful impact on Europe – and indeed the world.
I still believe that we need to take a closer look at what is gong on at the moment, in politics and especially media:
Be careful to see the signs and stop war-mongering. Stop propaganda. It’s completely unnecessary!
Because, no woman, mother, father, child, brother or uncle deserves to be killed just because a few companies will profit by selling weapons and supplies – and the ones in power are too lazy to do their job properly, keep peace, negotiate – and find better ways of work than weapon factories.
Whoever told us that life is either wonderful harmony – or we will have war? In the sense that you cannot have it both ways?
Da…n and blast to all who believe it! Is it that male (patriarchal) idea that you have to have predominance and prove ‘strong’ by shouting at people a lot? Because that way you establish ‘authority’?
Maybe. But war is not a question of gyms and some old-fashioned training ideas!
The civil society brought an even more wide-spread understanding of responsibility and the preference for peace and calm that let us thrive for a good life and good relations in peace.
Conflicts are a natural part of human life – always were, always have been.
(Cruel) arguments or wars are not ‘natural’.
They are the consequence of a mindset that values predominance and ‘first place’ the most. To force your opinion or your preferences on people is – according to that idea – a sign of strength and power.
BUT – and this is one of those BIG BUTS – it is a question of perspective:
Because anything that causes pain and suffering to many people – and additionally over a long period of time – is not a good thing! Period.
There are many ways out of conflict, some are short, because the conflict is small.
Some ways are long, because the conflict is large.
But whatever it is, if we respect the fundamental human rights we will do all the negotiating it takes, even if years, to avoid pain and suffering. Full stop.
“My way – or the highway?” In many parts of the world we can see people believing that there is only one way – or another. That other people or their behaviour or their ideas are one of two things: Black or White. A duality concept.
In truth, life and situations and people are colourful, like a kaleidoscope. Sometimes, when you are full of emotion, such as anger, wrath or a loving passion, the emotion has no ‘colour’ in the mind — it’s more of a temperature, perhaps, rather cold, or rather hot… and if you would start thinking and getting to know yourself or your emotion(s) better you would find out more details – and start finding words for them.
To think that there are only two sides to a coin is a rather narrow concept. You wil miss out on all the other possibilities – or colours.
Sometimes, when we are very sure that only one way or solution is right — at least for us — we tend to judge harshly.
That way we will overlook all the other — even beautiful — colours, in a situation, a solution to a problem — or a character.
Even peace or peaceful coexistence become easier to find, if we allow for alternatives, see the ‘other colours’, the full picture.
The big idea.
And should you wonder if that was too much bother — you may want to think again: Is peace really so much more difficult, than war — or conflict? And when was it written that the good or the better things always are easy…?
