Luke de Castro Assignment 9

War is terrible. It leaves brutal casualties and deep scars in its wake. Although all wars are violent and awful, the reasons for which they are fought differ with each conflict. Some represent battles over land, religion, or ideals. Others over money or resources. Few wars in history are absolutely necessary, but it should be included as a last resort option under the umbrella of diplomacy.

Every group or nation has interests and ideals that they wish to uphold. When those are violated, a multitude of options are available to deal with the issues. Diplomacy should always come first, as this is the most peaceful of the options and usually the most beneficial for both parties, for when diplomacy is involved, compromise often follows. The special case for war is against an inexorable opponent or a time essential situation. These situations often intersect to render war the sole option for resolution. For example, in the event of a mass genocide, diplomatic relations may not be the best option because the bullet moves faster than words. With the tense situation between the US and North Korea, war might become a logical option for resolution to the conflict if Kim Jong Un fails to negotiate or compromise.

These cases where war may be necessary are rare, and often, a war is fought for the wrong reasons. Many say the Iraq war was fought for oil. The conflicts in the Middle East are largely fueled by the Sunni-Shiite split. These are examples where war is unnecessary and cruel. Only in rare cases and under certain conditions should war be considered as a viable solution.