If Wars Could Solve Global Issues, We've Fought Thousands—Why Do We Still Have Issues?

Rather than solving problems, wars have often worsened existing issues and created new, more complex challenges.

Me with members of the Canadian Armed Forces at the Canadian Forces Base in Esquimalt, near Victoria, BC in 2019 | Photo: A CAF photo

As you've undoubtedly observed in recent news reports, yet another armed conflict has erupted in a distant corner of our interconnected world. This latest outbreak of violence adds to the already complex tapestry of global strife, with the international community grappling with several major wars and an innumerable array of minor skirmishes. If wars truly possessed the transformative power to resolve deep-seated problems and bring about lasting change, we would, by now, be witnessing a plethora of solutions to the world's most pressing issues. However, the stark reality that confronts us paints a vastly different picture.

Throughout the annals of human history, countless wars have been waged across continents and cultures, yet not a single one has managed to bring about enduring solutions to the challenges facing humanity—not even for the local populations directly embroiled in these conflicts. Wars that have been initiated with the ostensible intention of finding solutions to complex problems have invariably fallen short of achieving their stated goals. Instead of resolving issues, they have consistently exacerbated existing problems and given rise to a multitude of new challenges, often more severe than those they sought to address.

When we examine the aftermath of armed conflicts, we find that the beneficiaries of war are remarkably few in number: primarily politicians who manage to gain or retain power through the chaos of conflict, and weapons manufacturers who reap substantial profits from the ongoing strife. For the vast majority of ordinary people caught in the crossfire of these conflicts, war exacts a terrible and often insurmountable cost. Lives are tragically cut short, leaving families devastated and communities shattered. Children are orphaned, robbed of their parents and the stability they provide during crucial developmental years. Women, in particular, are often disproportionately targeted, facing not only the general dangers of war but also specific forms of violence and exploitation.

If wars truly possessed the capacity to solve regional or global issues, we would not still be grappling with many of the same fundamental problems that plagued humanity before the two catastrophic world wars of the 20th century. Even the deployment of atomic weapons—twice in the course of human history—failed to definitively resolve the underlying issues that led to their use. These conflicts, rather than bringing about lasting peace and stability, only served to create more problems on a global scale. Millions of people were displaced, entire cities were reduced to rubble, and new geopolitical crises emerged from the ashes of old conflicts, setting the stage for decades of tension and instability.

Throughout history, numerous wars have been fought with the explicit goal of establishing nations based on religious or ethnic homogeneity. Yet, even in countries that have ostensibly achieved this objective through conflict, we observe that a multitude of social, economic, and political problems persist. This stark reality serves as a clear indication that conflicts and wars, regardless of their stated objectives, ultimately solve nothing of substance. The new war that has recently erupted will, in all likelihood, prove to be no different from its predecessors in this regard. If we, as a global community, truly aspire to find lasting solutions to the complex challenges that face us, we must resolutely turn away from the path of violence and instead seek peace through open and honest dialogue. Only by resolving our differences through communication, mutual understanding, and a shared commitment to non-violent resolution can we hope to address the root causes of conflict and build a more stable and prosperous world for all.

To add some joy and hope to this serious pondering, I'd like to share a video I made in collaboration with the Canadian Armed Forces several years ago. Shot at the Canadian Forces base in Esquimalt, near Victoria BC, Canadian soldiers danced Bhangra with me for peace, unity and togetherness:

In light of these sobering realities, let us fervently hope that the international community can unite in a concerted effort to bring an end to this new war, as well as the many other ongoing ones that continue to make life increasingly difficult and dangerous for people around the globe. As we witness the unfolding of yet another chapter in humanity's long history of armed struggle, let us renew our commitment to the pursuit of peace, not just as an abstract ideal, but as a practical necessity for the survival and flourishing of our species. In these trying times, we must not only pray for peace but actively work towards it, championing diplomacy, fostering mutual understanding, and building the foundations for a world where conflicts are resolved not through force of arms, but through the power of dialogue and shared human values.

(If you can, write your thoughts in the comments below)