World peace in the shadow of nuclear weapons
The recent developments pertaining to world peace really make us wonder if the whole world is peaceful because of nuclear weapons. Would America, which launched an attack on Iraq on the pretext of that country possessing weapons of mass destruction, stay mum if Iraq actually had possessed those deadly weapons? This question remains unanswered even till date.
A nuclear war is just waiting for a tipping point to be unleashed across the globe is a fact well known to all. However, it should be irony of times that if peace prevails in the world today, it is also because of the nuclear weapons that are sitting duck somewhere. Their presence is threatening enough. Powerful nations are declaring war upon each other in their talks. Small countries that do not have nuclear weapons are being taken under the wings of stronger nations.
On one hand, nations talk about nuclear disarmament, and on the other they are demonstrating to smaller nations the inevitability of possessing nuclear weapons. Big countries do not want smaller nations to have nuclear weapons. If they do, the big ones force small nations to give up the nuclear weapons. Today, the situation is such that small nations would be consumed with fear for their security if they do not have those weapons. This is the contradictory situation that exists in the world. Big nations that preach peace are also equally responsible for wars across the world.
Let’s consider North Korea and United States of America. Both nations would speak in most threatening terms with each other that they’d press the button to unleashing nuclear warfare with each other’s nation as target. A war was almost predicted to be certain.
The world could heave a sigh of relief after talks transpired between America and North Korean leaders Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un respectively at the meeting in Singapore on June 12, 2018. Trump has reiterated his commitment to offer security assurances and Kim has offered an assurance to get rid of nuclear weapons in North Korea. Kim and Trump held a press conference together and declared that America would put a stop to joint military marches with South Korea. These marches had kept North Korea under a war threat since long. Not only this, America declared that it would withdraw 32,000 soldiers from the region. But the other nations seldom believe that North Korea will completely disarm itself of nuclear weapons. So long as America sets the rules of the game, other countries will seldom pay heed to it.
History is testimony that America is solely responsible for the competition over stocking up on nuclear warfare since long. America dropped atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The bombs wreaked hellish havoc in the history of mankind. After this destruction, American President Harry Truman had said the country was ready to drop nuclear bomb on North Korea in 1950, just five years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki destruction.
From then on, America as continued its threatening stance on the world regarding an assault on other countries, especially North Korea, using nuclear weapons. America added nuclear weapons in Korean region. As a response to this, North Korea had to make and stock up nuclear weapons in order to ensure its own safety should things go bad around its borders. North Korea tested nuclear weapons in 2006, 2009, and 2013 only to send across a strong message. The President of America George Bush had categorized North Korea along with Iran when America went to war with Iraq in 2002. Hence North Korea often feared an America attack anytime. Even then, North Korea had said it was ready for a nuclear disarmament to peace talks and economic growth, should America engage in peace talks with them.
If America thinks a country can be attacked or brought under control by imposing sanctions, this method has been a grand failure even by its own experience with North Korea. At some point North Korea threatened to launch a nuclear attack on America sooner or later.
North Korea depends on global trade for its food supply since the country has hilly terrain that is not suited for cultivation and growing food. The country which gave 60% exchange to its import was being hounded with sanctions. North Korea was projected as an evil country, using all forms of mass media. This forced North Korea to secure its nuclear weapon stock with even more care.
A situation was created where North Korea suspected the country to be vulnerable to an attack from external forces, especially America anytime, and this forced the country to clam up. Because North Korea entered the game as an equal player, America stepped back for a bit and both met as equals in this game. With things having reached this stage, it seems like a miracle that both countries have come together on conducive and responsible terms. One can never forget the role of South Korea President Moon. Now the onus lies on America to stay committed to its words and ensure peace prevails between both countries after ages, minus the nuclear weapons.
This changed situation has a very significant message for India as well. The immature politicians in India keep speaking irrelevant things against Pakistan and declare verbal war against the neighbouring country every now and then. This has given rise to insecurity among both nations. Whenever India tested nuclear weapons Pakistan has done the same too. Both countries are suffering a diplomatic breakdown in the recent times like never before. That Pakistan is ruled by its army is an open secret.Saffron terrorists or Hindutva terrorists dictate peace talks in India. Only diplomatic efforts can save the bridge between both countries.
In its recent report, a Swedish agency had said Pakistan has more nuclear weapons as against India. What are the reasons for impoverished Pakistan to stock up on costly nuclear weapons? Indian diplomacy and politics plays a major role in this response mechanism. If a war breaks out between both countries the pain and loss will be endless. Everything would stand destroyed at the end of it. Hence, America is hesitating to launch an assault on Iran. United Nations is watching the whole situation with the eye of an eagle. Those politicians who wish India goes to war with Pakistan need to understand this loss.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
ALSO READ: Cong candidate who moved Kerala HC for name reinstatement in voter list, wins
Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
