When nuclear powers view each other as an existential threat, the rest of the world is endangered

Jul 01, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

According to the Russian authorities, one of the reasons why the war was launched against Ukraine was because of ‘the rise of fascism in Ukraine’. It was in the light of that threat, amongst others, that some commentators claimed that the Russian military had embarked on ‘a historic mission.’

Whether justified or unjustified, the Russia/Ukraine war should be viewed in a global context. That war, pregnant with the prospect of a nuclear catastrophe, as well as Israel’s war on Palestine and the threat of a widening war in the Middle East, has caused many world leaders to characterize today’s world as chaotic, in a state of disarray and disorder. That view is reinforced by the rise of extreme right wing, ultra-nationalist and pro-fascist political forces principally in the industrialized nations.

While the Gaza-Israel and Ukraine/Russia wars continue to dominate public attention, at the same time, they befog awareness of the other critical geo-political inflection point between the United States and China. We are now witnessing wars where Ukraine and Israel, backed by the West on one side, and the Global South on the other – see each other as an existential threat that must be lowered and if possible, defeated. Given the maximalist objectives all around, it is almost impossible in current circumstances to reach a lasting and mutually acceptable peace arrangement. In a phone call with Biden in July 2022, President Xi of China warned against “playing with fire” over Taiwan, saying; “those who play with fire will perish by it.”

And in a backhanded manner, Air Force General Mike Minihan referring to China/US relations was quoted by Reuters in January 28, 2023 saying; “My gut tells me we will fight in 2025. He asserted that “war between China and the USA will begin in 2025.”

With the threat of nuclear war looming larger, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared in explicit terms; “We have informed the nuclear powers, the United States, Britain and France, that Russia cannot ignore the ability of F-16 fighter aircraft sent to the Kiev regime carrying nuclear weapons. No amount of assurances will help here. In the course of combat operations, our servicemen are not going to sort out whether each particular aircraft of this type is equipped to deliver nuclear weapons or not.”

And with the temperature rising, President Biden in a speech to delegates gathered to mark the 75th anniversary of NATO remarked; “This is a pivotal moment for Europe, for the transatlantic community, and, I might add, for the world.”

The grave threat of war aside for the time being, it is important to remind that democracy, a major pillar of ‘the establishment,’ and a euphemism for the free-market economy is under threat by the rise of the ultra-Right, the MAGA and pro-fascist forces especially in the USA and Europe. Some of these forces, while not in government, either remain a major political force or are gaining ground electorally.

The question has been asked whether the answer resides in the fight back electorally in Europe and America against what those who claim that fascism is ‘a historic phase of capitalism,’ or what the Global South claim’s to be, their collective pushback against that historic phase of capitalism?

In both developed and developing countries, there appears to be an increasing fear of an oncoming onslaught against extant ‘democratic traditions and values’ as well as the demand for a more inclusive global dispensation that reflects the interests of the Global South on a global scale. In this regard, fingers have been pointed to the polarization and worrisome developments in electoral politics especially in Europe and the USA. Thus, the serious doubts in the political, diplomatic and military circles whether there are real prospects for peace and security in the world today in the light of the emergence of a geographic spread of pro-democracy forces versus the emergence of pro-fascist, militaristic and ultra-right political forces who appear to be gaining ascendance in the world today.

Yours faithfully,

Clement J. Rohee

authorities, Clement J. Rohee, nuclear, Russian, Ukraine

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