Our Cold War When Will It End?

After World War II, the international environment created a bi-polar system whereby two superpowers emerged on opposite ends of the spectrum. The United States and the former Soviet Union had engulfed themselves for close to a half a century in the “Cold War.” This war left two nations in ruins. The Soviet Union in 1991 collapsed to the astonishment of the world. It had economically drained itself. The US similarly fell into an economic downfall as for the first time since 1914 the US became a debtor nation. Today, in the post Cold War era we can vividly see the consequences of this conflict. In the former Soviet Union the nation is devastated as conflicts now plague the region. Within the U.S., domestically the Cold War has not only hurt the economy, but also our children and our institutions. So, the question arises: “Who won the Cold War?” As an International Affairs student I see no victors — we all within the international community have lost.

In the South Asia region since independence we have been experiencing a “Cold War” of our own. It has been over fifty years now and we still can’t move forward to building a peaceful relationship. Although currently steps are being taken, even as I speak bus diplomacy is in effect, realistically how much will these actions contribute to viable change within the sub-continent? That is, we continue to beat around the bush on the issues, such as Kashmir, but often we lose sight of the very issue at heart — the people. For whom does the continuing tension in the South Asia region aid? How can we realistically hold our heads up among the international community and become examples for others if we can’t lead our own region out of poverty, illiteracy, aids and corruption? Our nations seem to be duplicating the same errors that the U.S. and the former Soviet Union made, but the question arises how long will it take for us to realize our mistakes? Why is we cannot learn from the lessons of
the Cold War? Will it indeed take a crippling or collapsing of the economy to awaken individuals to the reality that stands before is? And, if this is so, can we realistically afford it?

As I complete my education and prepare myself for the “real world;” my optimism and idealism makes me question the actions of our nations. When will our leaders break away from the ideology of perpetuating hate vis-Ã -vis religion, ethnicity, culture and politics and foster peace? We stand at a crossroads – Change is not impossible! Why can’t we see that in this interdependent world, cooperation is a vital tool for survival? Cooperation is not a far-fetched scenario for the region. As a region we have a lot of cultural similarities. Let us use those similarities to lay the foundation for a prosperous relationship.

Currently, we spend close to $14 billion a year on the military, and although we have succeeded in launching nuclear test and becoming members of an elite group of nuclear states, we cannot seem to amend the fact that we house 40 percent of the world’s poor people: “500 million people in South Asia live in absolute poverty, 260 million lack access to basic health facilities, 337 million are without safe drinking water. South Asia’s share of the world’s illiterate population is twice as high as its share of the global population. Soldiers in South Asia outnumber doctors 8:1. India has the world’s largest illiterate population in the world.” Where, then, do our priorities lie? When will change occur — when will the South Asia region exhibit its beauty in diversity and culture and stand tall as an example for peace and stability? When will we break the shackles of distrust and realize we have far more in common then in differences? It’s time for change! For the future of this region and the world, it’s time to give peace a chance. Let us educate, facilitate and accommodate the people. Let us replace the guns and hate with knowledge and tolerance.

The twenty-first century is around the corner; we need change for the betterment of ourselves and of our region. Let us learn from the mistakes of others and let us stop draining our resources and hurting our people. We no longer should perceive a victory for India as a defeat for Pakistan, or a victory of Pakistan as a defeat for India. This zero-sum mentality must end! Let us replace the “us versus them” mentality with a win-win approach for the region. Institutions such as slavery and dueling were a part of many societies in the past, yet today they do not exist. We, too, can change our societal thinking; we just need more commitment.