Conflicts and wars are as old as human civilization itself. From the moment humans began forming tribes, societies, and nations, disagreements over land, resources, power, and ideology have led to violent confrontations. The pages of history are stained with blood from countless wars, from ancient skirmishes to large-scale global conflicts. Despite the progression of human society towards greater complexity, wealth, and technology, war remains a constant, as if ingrained in the very fabric of humanity. And yet, alongside this tragic inevitability, there exists in every heart a yearning for peace and a deep-seated desire for love and harmony. The paradox of human existence is stark: while we fight with ever more sophisticated tools of destruction, we also dream of a world where such conflicts do not exist.

The last century alone witnessed some of the most devastating wars humanity has ever seen. The First and Second World Wars are etched in our collective memory as periods of unprecedented destruction. The death toll, displacement, and trauma that resulted from these wars continue to shape global politics, societies, and economies even today. But these two monumental conflicts were not the only ones. Across the globe, hundreds of wars, battles, and skirmishes of various dimensions erupted in the same period, each leaving behind scars, divisions, and legacies of grief.

What is it about human nature that drives us to conflict? Perhaps, as many philosophers and historians have argued, it is inherent in us to seek power, to dominate, or to protect what we see as ours. The territorial instinct, competition for resources, and ideological differences have historically fueled our conflicts. Yet, at the same time, human beings possess the capacity for empathy, kindness, and a profound desire for peace. If anything, this duality defines the human condition: the constant tug-of-war between conflict and peace.

Despite these deep-seated contradictions, history has taught us one immutable lesson — we do not learn from history. It is often said that “history repeats itself.” This saying holds true today as much as it ever did. Humanity, despite the devastating lessons of the past, continues to walk down the same bloody paths. The more we claim to be ‘civilized,’ the more we seem to engage in savagery. We pride ourselves on advancements in technology, art, culture, and politics, yet when it comes to war, we remain trapped in ancient patterns of violence, vengeance, and destruction.

Consider the weapons of today compared to those of two centuries ago. The swords and muskets of the past have been replaced by nuclear bombs, drones, and advanced missile systems capable of causing mass destruction with the press of a button. With this evolution of warfare, the scale of destruction has escalated dramatically. No longer are wars confined to soldiers on battlefields. Civilians, homes, cities, and entire nations are swept into the chaos, with modern wars causing untold human suffering. The collateral damage of today’s conflicts — in terms of both human life and property — far exceeds anything seen before.

Currently, the world faces an ominous prospect: the potential outbreak of a Third World War. Conflicts across various regions are escalating at an alarming rate, and nowhere is this more evident than in the Middle East. The ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas has sent shockwaves across the globe. Israel, which sees Hamas as a terrorist organization bent on its destruction, is determined to annihilate the group. This has led to a level of destruction in Gaza that is both heartbreaking and terrifying. Homes, hospitals, schools — all have been reduced to rubble, and the human cost is staggering. Thousands of innocent Palestinians, many of them women and children, have been rendered homeless, displaced, and face existential threats daily. Their cries for help echo across the world, yet the conflict continues to rage on, seemingly with no end in sight.

The tragedy here is multifaceted. On the one hand, Israel claims the right to defend itself against terrorist threats, while on the other, the Palestinian people are caught in a devastating humanitarian crisis. The scale of the destruction in Gaza is shocking, and the world is witnessing one of the most intense conflicts in recent times. The misery that this war has caused is incalculable, and the suffering of innocent civilians continues to mount with every passing day.

This destruction needs to stop. Strength, as often misconstrued, does not lie in the ability to destroy. True strength lies in preserving, in protecting, and in building a future where people can live in peace and dignity. Strength is not demonstrated by perpetuating misery, but by ending it. The powerful nations of the world, as well as those directly involved in the conflict, need to realize that a solution based on destruction will only breed more hatred, more violence, and more despair.

World leaders cannot afford to remain silent spectators in the face of such immense human suffering. The responsibility to act lies not only with the nations directly involved in the conflict but also with the international community. Apathy and inaction in such moments of crisis only embolden the forces of destruction. It is crucial that global powers step in and demand a cessation of hostilities. There needs to be a concerted effort to mediate, to negotiate, and to bring the madness to an end before it spirals out of control. If not, we may find ourselves facing the terrifying possibility of a Third World War, one that will leave no nation untouched and no life unaffected.

A similar narrative is playing out in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Here too, the destruction is vast, the human suffering immense. The geopolitical stakes are high, and the potential for this conflict to escalate beyond the borders of Eastern Europe is real and dangerous. The war has displaced millions, killed thousands, and left a once-thriving region in ruins. And much like the conflict in the Middle East, the Russia-Ukraine war shows no signs of abating anytime soon.

In both of these cases, and countless others around the world, the same underlying truth holds: violence begets violence. The world cannot continue to solve its problems through destruction. The path of peace, though difficult and fraught with challenges, is the only way forward.

Sanity must prevail. It is the duty of leaders across the world, whether in government, civil society, or international organizations, to pursue peace relentlessly. War, while seemingly inevitable in some historical contexts, is not the only answer. Diplomacy, dialogue, and mutual respect for humanity’s shared dignity can and should take precedence.

In a world increasingly interconnected and interdependent, the consequences of one nation’s conflict reverberate far beyond its borders. If we allow these wars to continue unchecked, we may find ourselves drawn into a global conflagration that will dwarf the devastation of the previous world wars. Let good sense prevail. Let peace, not war, be the guiding force of the future. The cost of not doing so is simply too high for humanity to bear.