WAR is a constant in human history. In hunter-gatherer societies, people resorted to aggression to preserve livelihoods and to meet their needs. Over time, the search for political and economic dominance began to rule human senses.

They fought destructive wars to achieve this dominance. The Thirty Years’ War in Europe is a stark manifestation of the phenomenon, showing that humans resort to wars to satiate their lust for supremacy. This pursuit has always come at the expense of peace, propelling disharmony, anarchy and chaos in society.

For this reason, political philosophers, like Niccolo Machiavelli and Thomas Hobbes, have labelled human nature as greedy and warmongering. Their views hold significance, particularly in the light of the fractured current global order. The Russia-Ukraine war, the Israeli genocide in Gaza, the civil war in Syria, and the Yemen crisis substantiate the observation that the occurrence of conflicts and wars is inevitable. These destructive wars are frequently lambasted globally. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) was considering suspending Israel’s membership, while the Interna-tional Court of Justice (ICJ) issued arrest warrants against some global figures.

But, has anyone ever pondered that wars exist on two fronts: visible and invisible, physical and psychological? The world seems to be taking action against physical wars, but what about the invisible wars or conflicts that individuals or nations confront?

Invisible wars are often neglected. People do not fight on the battlefield alone, they do so in their minds as well. They endure mental disorders and face financial constraints. Moreover, in the modern age, technology has become a war tool for many individuals and nations. The existence of wars on two fronts necessitates global cooperation. Otherwise, humanity will not endure for long amid these conflicts.

Nasrullah Khadim
Kandhkot

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2025