Deepthi 2022

Zo]vXn 2022
has found newer fronts in trenches and boroughs.
War, as hypothesis,has notably advanced through
several phases over the centuries. There were wars
of religion that ended in the middle of 17 th century
and individual sovereigns who fought to meet selfinterests.
But things changed fundamentally with
the burst of the French Revolution, causing
improved size of forces from small professional
to large conscripted armies and broadened the
objectives of war to the ideals of the revolution. In
the relative order of post-Napoleonic Europe, the
mainstream of theory returned to the idea of war
as a rational and limited instrument of national
policy. World Wars touched the total character in
which war is fought, disturbing the already
erodingmorality and ethics in warfronts. The
mobilization of entire populations and economies
for a prolonged period of time did not fit into the
Clausewitzian pattern of limited conflict, and it
led to a renewal of other theories. The theorists
held that war in its modern form, if still conceived
as a national state instrument, should be
undertaken only if the most vital interests of the
state is touched upon its very survival. It seems
like the climate of Master Race is building one
more time.
VomKriege: On War
Carl von Clausewitz penned VomKriege. Heavily
influenced by Clausewitz’s experiences in the
Napoleonic wars and the French Revolution, this
unfinished work is often difficult to interpret and
is contradictory in nature. However, controversial
theories on war, peace and politics throughout
VomKriegeprovides a thoroughly unique
perspective by which to interpret the world that
is, arguably, still highly relevant in the 21st century.
Clausewitz defines “War is nothing but a duel on
an extensive scale… an act of violence intended to
compel our opponent to fulfil our will” directed
by political motives and morality. “War is neither
a scientific game nor an international sport; it is
an act of violence characterized by destruction”,
adds Clausewitz.
While theorising Peace, Carl eludes that peace
should only be viewed as ‘breathing time’ to
prepare for the next military plan. Clausewitz is
of the opinion that long periods of peace may alter
the state’s ability to defend itself in the future, and
that instances of peace should be well spent by
exercising the military. It drew criticism against
Clausewitz for ruminating that war is constant and
he never gives an explanation as to how to
eliminate war entirely. It would seem that
Clausewitz never sets out to eradicate war but to
theorize on how to be successful in war. War is a
never-ending cycle and there are no special tactics
for peace, and as Clausewitz notoriously writes,
“To secure peace is to prepare for war.”
A Nasty Irredentist Conflict
The conflict currently playing out in Ukraine
involves former Cold War adversaries and
competing versions of history. Russian President
questioned the very idea of the country’s statehood
before invading Ukraine. The invasion of Ukraine
floods the airwaves with the prospect of a wider
conflict brewing in Eastern Europe between Russia
and the NATO alliance.
As ‘Putinology’ strengthens, Kremlin is into
absolute war like situation. Diplomatic talks
between Russia and the West have thus far not
yielded any solutions. Putin has issued a series of
demands on Ukraine and NATO, ranging from
the removal of NATO forces in Eastern Europe, a
guarantee that Ukraine will not be allowed to join
the alliance, the granting of autonomy to the
Donbas and a recognition that the conflict in
Ukraine is a civil war. As many more issues fog
the lenses of Kremlin- Kyiv conflict, obstacles are
pulling down economy and routine of civilians.
The current fragile situation of Ukraine is
dangerous and premature. However,adding any
further opinion on this subject would mean
‘holding sides’.
Gregorian Remedy to Clausewitzian Peace
Theory
Metropolitan Dr.Paulos Mar Gregorios, a
peace- brigadier, whose contributionsin building
a New World Order is still germane.He proposed
‘New International Moral Order’ at the concluding
joint plenary session of International Forum of
Public Forces For a Nuclear Weapons Free World and
For the Survival of Humanity, held in Moscow from
February 14 th to 16 th 1987.
1. All nations are sovereign, free and equal, but
are also responsible to each other and to the
global community of nations. Each nation
should, therefore, pursue its own interests only
in the context of the interests of the whole of
humanity.
2. Nations today are becoming increasingly
interdependent in matters of political economy,
science-technology, trade as well as other
spheres. This inter-dependence should be
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