A wise nation finds ways to make ALL its neighbours "Allies" (meaning friends)...not just some of them. This is done through mutual respect, trade, mutual assistance in time of disaster or emergency, resolution of past disagreements through peaceful discussion, mutual reductions in arms, and so on.

It is not done by hurling verbal threats, engaging in economic warfare, and preparing and launching military attacks. Nor is it done through forming alliances to surround and cow some presumed "enemy" into submission. Such alliances have in the past always eventually led to war...sometimes a very large war, sometimes not.

It is unwise nations who engage in the latter group of policies. They do so out of fear, hubris, and an innate sense of cultural superiority over those whom they imagine to be their enemies.

Their only real enemy is their own failure to grasp that humanity is a single nation.

If you give consideration for a moment to the fact that military forces and military-industrial suppliers depend for their very existence upon the eternal maintenance of exterior "enemies", you will see why it has been very hard to alter this unfortunate circumstance.

It is the common desire of ordinary people everywhere to have peace, freedom, and prosperity. Travel, and you will see that. It is the common desire of the military-industrial complex everywhere to perpetuate division and war...while securing a "victory" (for the privileged few at the top). Many (most) of those serving in the military are genuinely patriotic and well-intentioned, and suppose that they are defending freedom. They are not. They are being used to perpetuate division and disaster in order that a very few may profit hugely and continue running things at the expense of the rest of humanity.

- LH