Why does the U.S. seem unable to comprehend history?

Those of us who understood what the war in Iraq would mean knew it was important to voice our concerns, and raise awareness of the other side of the debate. The explanation for the suffering cannot be reduced to blaming a barbarous totalitarian regime. The real problem is the lack of understanding between peoples, the lack of concern amongst the general public, and intervention in the guise of humanitarianism that is in fact for self-interest and profit.

The U.S. has unleashed a Pandora’s box on the world. But this is not a time to turn and run from Iraq. World War Two helped illustrate that certain elements of society will take up the banner of war rather than giving peace a chance. However much the few are dedicated to peaceful resolution of problematic disputes there will nonetheless be conflict which turns to war. It is all of our responsibilities, not only to campaign for peaceful resolution of conflicts, but to ensure that we understand the history of conflict. This can give us the wisdom to take action to alter historical trajectories. In this way, we can help the abandoned people of the world.

If conflicts are not to repeat themselves throughout the 21st century, a concerted re-education in history must take place. People must be encouraged to consider the time in which they live, and play their part in the reduction of human animosity. The Brighton Peace and Environment Centre considers it part of their mission to facilitate this.

I therefore call on readers to consider forming a new historical society within BPEC. This would put a feather to the cap of an understated yet important bastion of world peace. This feather will add to others, and eventually they may amount to a dove of peace being released, to counter the unleashing of a Pandora’s box such as Iraq.