Monday, November 16, 2015

The new face of war

It used to be that countries went to war against each other. The fronts were known and the agenda was announced.

Clearly, the situation has changed. Ever since Osama bin Laden and his henchmen flew civilian aircraft into the twin towers in New York on 9-11-2001, it has been that individuals can now wage war against entire nations.

26-11in Mumbai and 13-11 in Paris are recurring example of this new war. That a few people can stroll into a city, spray bullets at people who they have nothing against and then blow themselves up is strange phenomenon that is beyond comprehension. They make no ransom demands, they do not expect to make any money or gain freedom for someone, and most bafflingly, they do not even expect to 'win'. They know that the end is death. One of the explosions outside Stade de France had only one casualty - the suicide bomber - who caused no other damage. Yet the teenagers had the gumption to push a button that blew the explosive charges strapped to their own body. They did not even wish to be claimed as victors or heroes. Their own end came before they could witness what they had done.

What motivates these people? There is clearly no win-lose possibility here. The victims lose their lives and the perpetrators also lose their lives. Lose-lose is the only possible outcome. Why would anyone play this game?

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