Trump’s assertion that he could resolve the Ukraine-Russia conflict within 24 hours of assuming the presidency is emblematic of his characteristic hyperbole; however, it reflects the sentiments of an individual who has evidently grown weary of the ongoing war and the financial burdens associated with America’s participation. Achieving “peace through strength” does not necessarily mean “peace through war” – NATO and the EU’s fears of being abandoned by the US could easily spin out of control. The war in Ukraine has exacerbated the visibility of the work conducted covertly and sometimes illegally by the US and its allies’ intelligence agencies. It is the role of journalists to expose the underlying cause of these proxy wars and unnecessary suffering – if not, the “peace through war” rhetoric will gain ground and invade our screens for the years to come.
The Latin phrase “si vis pacem, para bellum,” which translates to “If you want peace, prepare for war,” originated in the fourth century. However, the underlying concept can be traced back to the second century, specifically to the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who is credited with the principle of achieving “peace through strength, or, if that fails, peace through intimidation.”
The expression “Peace through strength” conveys the notion that the military might serve as a means to maintain or restore peace. Various leaders have employed this phrase throughout history, including former US President Ronald Reagan during the 1980s. The principle is often linked to the practice of realpolitik, however, it has faced criticism; for instance, American historian Andrew Bacevich argues that the phrase can readily transform into the justification of “peace through war”, a concept that is all too familiar and that has filed our screens for years, with NATO pushing for more war in Ukraine to achieve leverage rather than peace or the ongoing slaughter of the Palestinians in Gaza so that Israel, a so-called beacon of democracy can have peace, torturing and killing civilians while illegally expanding its territory.
Hellbound and Down 