Casualties care little about why wars start

On June 28th 1914 the First World War started. It finished on the 28th of November 1918. Still debate occurs as to why and who started the war. 

It matters little. There were 37m were casualties. They were followed by casualties totalling over 60m million in World War II, a figure estimated at near 4% of the world population at the time. Now in 2014 we are seeing such horrific killing of innocent citizens who have no choice and who are desperately trying to defend themselves against the might of bombs and guns. We are again witnessing the slaughter of innocent children with entire families being wiped out. Manufacturing of arms is going on at a faster pace than ever. Sales are booming in strife-torn areas like the Middle East, Eastern Europe, parts of Africa, North Korea, and parts of Latin America. The SIPRI Military Expenditure Database 2013 says the total spend is $1.75 trillion The United Nations was set up to resolve world conflict in 1945 with the agreement of over 50 of the world’s most powerful countries. The UN has the moral authority to work towards resolving conflict and intercede where borders or violations are in dispute with the aim of pressing each country to fulfil the human rights charter. Is the UN failing or simply unable to carry out their function due the self interest and veto of the five strong countries? “Peace cannot be achieved by force, only by understanding ” said Albert Einstein.

Dermot Hayes