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| Tuesday, 20 May 2003 |
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An Arc of Conflict emerges by Lynn Ockersz Bloody suicide bombings in Riyadh, Casablanca and Jerusalem which have claimed scores of innocent lives drive home afresh, the agonising dilemmas a policy of defusing "terrorism" by military means, foists on the world. Significantly, all three states which witnessed this recent bloodletting - Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Israel - are seen as allied to the US, which has initiated a "reconstruction' program in Iraq following the ending of combat operations. Meanwhile, fierce clashes are continuing in Kashmir, signifying what may be described as a broad Arc of Conflict from Africa, through the Middle East and West Asia to parts of the Indian subcontinent and South Asia. However, several states in South East Asia are also believed to be on a high state of alert for terrorist bombings. Essentially, states which are seen as orientated to the West and those which are portrayed as partners in the global war against "terrorism", could be considered as running security risks. In the short and medium terms at least, therefore, there is likely to be an intensification of the polarity between the allied forces in Iraq, their supporting states and anti-Western fundamentalist forces which seem to be drawing fresh blood from the US-led military incursion into Iraq. The world has gone through such paces before. An intensifying security-consciousness on the part of states, usually has serious human rights implications. For instance, communities seen as supporting anti-Western, religious fundamentalist forces could come under increasing surveillance from State law and order agencies, resulting in perceived and real human rights violations. These tendencies, in turn, fuel disaffection among the communities and social groups concerned against the State. The end results of these developments could very well be stepped-up anti-State agitations and violence. There are, then, daunting and ominous possibilities in the current build-up of tensions worldwide. Meanwhile, the current round of terror could have grave destabilizing consequences on efforts to contain festering regional conflicts. The effects of the suicide terror attacks in Jerusalem on the Middle-East peace process are a case in point. Coming close on the heels of hope-inspiring talks between Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon and new "reformist" Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, the intention of the perpetrators of the mindless, suicide bombings in Jerusalem, is amply clear. Efforts at forging ahead with resolving the Middle-East conflict, seem to be the real target of the agents of terror. A redeeming feature of this disquieting scenario, however, is a reported incipient dialogue process between Iran and the US. This is the more arduous but durable route to a defusion of global tensions, whereas what are seen as quick-fix military solutions could only generate for the world, a plethora of fresh tensions and worries involving high human costs. |
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