Letter to the editor: There are only losers in war

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Hamas attack on Israel: What is to be accomplished? History has shown us time and again that the answer is nothing. There will only be losers.

The lost human lives will never be recovered. The destruction of property will take generations to replace. The hate will continue and contribute only to suffering. When will we have repeated this cycle enough to learn from it?

We know that war and terrorism are not going to solve the problems. They will only make matters worse, and at the most severe price. We must find a way to halt the progession to war, recognizing when tensions are escalating and establishing a worldwide accepted alternative means of resolving disputes.

History has only moved the needle grudgingly and over centuries in this direction. More recently, with the League of Nations and then the United Nations and the development of world courts. Still, the more powerful participants built in self-serving exceptions that impair effectiveness.

Violence and war are the results of a lack of leadership and ideas. Somehow, at this most dangerous day and age, we need to find a way to outlaw war. Set borders where they are. Forbid changing them without recognized agreement of the participants.

If we changed the present thinking and the United States and China were to recognize their power to maintain world peace and set a new example of conflict resolution, each maintaining their strength, trusting but with verification, the people of the world will benefit for generations to come, building instead of tearing down.

Timothy J. Kunselman

McCandless