IT is a sign of times, it seems, as global diplomacy is being conducted through Covid vaccines these days, with global powerhouses exploiting the misery of the masses around the globe by using the vaccines they are manufacturing as a means to achieving their own diplomatic goals.

Countries of the global south, like in Latin America, have compromised on their state narratives to obtain vaccines being manufactured in the United States.

China, with its vaccine, is cultivating various countries around the world.

It would be erroneous to blame the global powers because governments are like corporations and, in the words of Edward Thurlow (1731-1806), the Lord Chancellor during the impeachment of Warren Hastings, “corporations have neither bodies to be punished, nor souls to be condemned, they therefore do as they like”.

We, the lesser mortals of the world, just have to live with it.

Khushal Khattak
Peshawar

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2021